MELAKA: Asean has resolved to place cybercrime, particularly online scams, at the top of its regional security agenda, moving away from sea piracy and international economic crime, which are now considered lesser threats.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said member countries reached a consensus at the 19th Asean Ministers’ Meeting on Transnational Crime and Related Meetings at a leading hotel in Taman Melaka Raya here.
They agree that online scams have become the most pressing challenge confronting the region.
“Piracy and international economic crime, while still present, no longer pose the same degree of threat.
“In future meetings, these issues will not be prioritised. 
“Instead, Asean will broaden its scope on cybercrime, especially scams that are growing in scale and sophistication,” he said during the closing of the meeting yesterday.
Saifuddin Nasution said the ministers also unanimously adopted the Asean Plan of Action for 2026-2035, a decade-long roadmap aimed at strengthening collective responses to transnational crime.
He said Malaysia had taken the lead by proposing the creation of a new Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime working group on money laundering.
The initiative, he said, developed with Bank Negara Malaysia, the police, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, will have its first meeting next year.
He also revealed that the three-day session endorsed the Melaka Declaration on Combating Transnational Crime, which will serve as the umbrella framework for the action plan, along with the Asean Declaration on Countering People Smuggling in Southeast Asia and the Asean Declaration on Combating Cybercrime and Online Scams.
In addition, Saifuddin Nasution said three leaders’ declarations would be presented at the upcoming 47th Asean Summit in October.
Among the proposals, he said, were Malaysia spearheading regional efforts against money laundering, Vietnam’s initiative to enhance cooperation in locating and arresting criminal fugitives, and Indonesia’s call to use sports as a tool to build resilience among youth and prevent violent extremism.
“Asean recognises that perpetrators of transnational crime often move across borders.
“Vietnam’s proposal on joint efforts to locate, arrest and deport fugitives reflects our shared determination.
“Likewise, Indonesia’s initiative highlights how non-traditional approaches like sports can be leveraged to combat extremism,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution stressed that the decisions underscored the bloc’s flexibility in adapting to evolving threats.
