SINGAPORE: Malaysia and Singapore have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to intensify efforts to combat cross-border crimes such as human trafficking, drug smuggling and cybercrime.
The Home Ministry announced that the MOU on Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Transnational Crimes was signed by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Singapore's Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam, here on Thursday (Nov 14).
Saifuddin Nasution was quoted by Bernama on Wednesday as saying that the MOU renews the existing cross-border cooperation between the two countries, while incorporating cybercrime as an additional focus, in line with current trends.
According to the Home Ministry, the meeting between the two ministers also focused on the importance of strengthening comprehensive bilateral security cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore, particularly in managing cross-border crime, as well as in immigration and policing matters.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin, accompanied by the Malaysian delegation, received a briefing from Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and also visited the Woodlands Checkpoint.
"The purpose of this visit is to gain insight into Singapore's border control system, particularly through the use of advanced technology to manage cross-border traffic flows more efficiently and systematically," according to a statement by Wisma Putra.
The Malaysian delegation also visited Singapore's Anti-Scam Centre (ASC) and the Interpol Cybercrime Directorate to understand the approaches and technologies used in efforts to combat online fraud.
Earlier, Saifuddin, who arrived in the republic on Wednesday, spent time with the Malaysian diaspora during a meet-and-greet session followed by a dinner.
Also part of the delegation was Home Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Policy and Control) Datuk Makhzan Mahyuddin.
The delegation is scheduled to return to Malaysia on Thursday. – Bernama
