Asean to discuss Beijing’s offer to address online scams, illegal gambling on Jan 19, says Tok Mat


LANGKAWI: Beijing’s proposal to address online scams and gambling in the region together with Asean countries, will be discussed at the Asean Foreign Ministers Retreat (AMM) on Sunday (Jan 19), says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan.

“We will discuss it tomorrow (Jan 19). Today (Jan 18) is just a matter of courtesy calls and we touched base on how to strengthen the Asean family.

“Looking at the geopolitical and geo-economics around the world now, I think it is a waste that Asean don’t work it out together,” said Mohamad when met at the sidelines of the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) at the Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC) on Saturday (Jan 18).

“That is why we chose the theme of inclusivity and sustainability. We should be inclusive and work together,” added Mohamad.

The SOM is a precursor to the AMM that is scheduled to take place on Sunday (Jan 19).

Present together with Mohamad was Thailand Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. They had a bilateral meeting earlier.

Asked if Asean was taking any action to address online scams in the region, Maris said they haven’t gotten into the specifics of the issue during their discussion.

“We haven’t gone into detail yet. Let our people work together. What we discussed together with my good brother (Mohamad) is our vision and we want to come up with something tangible.

“If we can make things happen soon, we don’t have to wait until the end of the year. At least during Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean, there should be something tangible,” said Maris.

On Jan 16, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Asean countries to take strong measures to crack down on online gambling and telecommunications fraud.

Wang was quoted as saying in a statement that a series of online gambling and telecomms fraud cases along the Thai-Myanmar border had harmed the citizens of China and other countries.

Wang had said China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Asean countries in law enforcement and security to address the issue.

Earlier this month, a Chinese actor went missing along the Thai-Myanmar border and he was found in Myanmar.

Thai police have said they believed that he was a victim of human trafficking.

Online scams, illegal gambling, and human trafficking, among others, have been an issue affecting Asean countries over the past few years.

The AMM, which will set the tone of Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean this year, is set to conclude on Sunday (Jan 19).

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