HANOI: Brunei has called for stronger and faster regional cooperation to combat increasingly mobile and digitally resourceful criminal fugitives.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law) Datuk Seri Setia Sufian Sabtu made the call while leading Brunei’s delegation to the Asean Law Enforcement High-Level Conference on Cooperation in Combatting Criminal Fugitives in Hanoi, Vietnam, Wednesday (Sept 30).
Hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security under the theme “Enhancing Regional Cooperation for a Rule-of-Law and Crime-free Asean”, the conference brought together law enforcement leaders from Asean member states and the Asean Secretariat.
In his statement, the minister highlighted the increasing mobility and digital capabilities of criminal fugitives, stressing the importance of speed, early preparation and close cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
He proposed several priorities for regional cooperation, including establishing round-the-clock national focal points, expanding database access at border checkpoints and developing common templates for urgent requests.
The conference endorsed the Joint Action Plan on Enhancing Cooperation in Combatting Criminal Fugitives and adopted a Joint Statement.
The initiative follows the Asean Leaders’ Declaration on Enhancing Cooperation in Locating and Arresting Criminal Fugitives, proposed by Vietnam and adopted at the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025.
On the sidelines of the conference, the minister held a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang to discuss cooperation in areas of mutual security interest.
He also met Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha, with discussions focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation in security and law enforcement, including efforts to combat online scams and cybercrime.
All heads of delegation also paid a courtesy call on Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính.
Brunei’s delegation included Permanent Secretary (Security and Law) at the Prime Minister’s Office Awang Zulhusam Abdul Samad, as well as senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, Royal Brunei Police Force and Internal Security Department. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
