PUTRAJAYA: New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are needed to fight the online financial crimes and ransomware attacks plaguing Asean, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said using such technologies would help enforcement agencies in the region work together to detect, prevent and tackle these crimes.
"The rise of cybercrime, everything from financial scams to ransomware attacks, shows us that this is not a 'future problem'.
"It is a pressing issue right now.
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"Our digital intelligence must evolve as fast as technologies and this means we must adopt new technologies such as the use AI responsibly to significantly improve detection, prevention and enforcement against these crimes," he said in his speech at the opening of the 25th Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) here on Tuesday (June 24).
While the use of new technologies is crucial, Saifuddin said it is only a part of the solution in countering cyber threats in Asean.
"While we may have the use of these new tools, the true strength comes from our collective responses.
"This includes trust, sharing of information and building on each other's capabilities," he added.
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He said efforts to combat regional transborder crimes must be matched by a willingness to act decisively among member states.
"What we need is not only our alignment but courage to confront new, hybrid threats," he said, adding that this included discarding outdated mechanisms and making bold decisions.
He said Malaysia remains fully committed in fighting transborder crimes as it crucial for the continued peace and progress of the region.
"It is crucial for the safety, stability and the shared prosperity of Asean.
"Without security, there can be no prosperity, and without peace, there can be no meaningful progress," he said.
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Meanwhile, Saifuddin said that Malaysia continues to firmly hold on to Asean's core principle of neutrality.
This is even more crucial for Asean in the current, divided global landscape, he added.
"We believe that not choosing sides is not being tacit.
"It is a strategic approach that protects our collective sovereignty and strengthens our unity.
"Asean's strength has always stemmed from its unity and inclusivity in diversity," he said.
