PUTRAJAYA: Asean must take a bolder, integrated collective stance to safeguard Southeast Asia's future from increasingly sophisticated transnational drug syndicates, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urges.
He said that only a regional approach grounded in data, technology, and mutual trust among member states can effectively curb the threat of drug smuggling and trafficking.
As such, he said Malaysia has proposed a cross-border coordination mechanism within Asean to strengthen efforts, especially targeting maritime routes from the Golden Triangle - spanning Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and the southern Philippines.
Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the National Anti-Drugs Committee, described this cross-border coordination as vital in preventing drug inflow since the Golden Triangle is known as the world's largest methamphetamine-producing hub, while the southern Philippines serves as a frequent transit corridor for transnational crime syndicates.
"The drug smuggling network operates transnationally via complex and ever-changing land, sea, and air routes. Effective measures can only be achieved if Asean countries move as a unified regional entity, not in silo," he told Bernama in a recent interview.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that among Malaysia's proposals are enhancing existing frameworks, such as the Asean Airport Interdiction Task Force and Asean Seaport Interdiction Task Force, to better coordinate enforcement at Asean's air and sea entry points.
He said this includes data sharing via the Asean Narcotics Cooperation Centre and the Asean Drug Monitoring Network.
"Malaysia also stresses the importance of joint patrols and training exercises among Asean maritime enforcement agencies in hotspots like the Sulu Sea, Strait of Malacca, and Andaman Sea to bolster regional security.
"This collaboration already includes joint patrols by Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore across strategic routes such as the Strait of Malacca and Singapore, Sulu Sea, Andaman Sea, and the waters of the Gulf of Thailand," he said.
Ahmad Zahid said the existing trilateral maritime patrols among Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia will be further strengthened to combat smuggling activities, including drug trafficking, in the southern Philippines and surrounding waters.
He also proposed establishing real-time intelligence-sharing channels between Asean maritime enforcement agencies to enhance interception operations.
"We believe that preventing drug smuggling via maritime routes requires a multinational, multi-agency, and multidisciplinary approach to ensure more integrated and effective action. Malaysia is committed to playing a leading role in driving this cooperation under the spirit of Asean solidarity," he said. - Bernama
