KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Bernama) — Cooperation between governments and enforcement agencies must move faster and be stronger than transnational crime networks to address security threats effectively, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said criminals now operate across multiple jurisdictions by leveraging international networks, requiring nations to strengthen information sharing, operational coordination, and joint action.
“Today, I delivered a speech at the 2026 Conference of the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, China, with a clear message, (that) in an increasingly interconnected world, no single nation can handle today’s security threats alone.
“I shared a real-life example that occurred just a few weeks ago, the arrest of a Malaysian co-pilot at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on suspicion of smuggling various types of drugs estimated to be worth RM45 million,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Saifuddin Nasution said the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) shared information about the case with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). After joint action and follow-up, six syndicate members were arrested in Malaysia, including four who had fled to Thailand and Vietnam.
“This is the reality of crime today. The syndicate moved across at least four countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam,” he said.
He added that security threats are increasingly complex, including violence, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, narcotics, cybercrime, online scams, and money laundering operating through the same cross-border networks, financial systems, and digital infrastructure.
He said technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), encrypted communications, and cryptocurrencies are also being exploited by criminals to conceal their identities and transfer illicit funds across multiple jurisdictions.
“Crime knows no borders. Our response must not stop at national borders either,” he said.
For that reason, Saifuddin Nasution said Malaysia continues to strengthen cooperation with China through the Agreement on Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Transnational Crime signed in June 2024. It provides a solid foundation for joint action, including information sharing, operational coordination, and investigations.
He said the need is urgent as Malaysia investigated 141,107 online scam cases between 2024 and May 2026.
In narcotics enforcement, Saifuddin Nasution said cooperation and intelligence sharing with China helped facilitate two operations in August 2025, which led to the seizure of over one tonne of Fentanyl Citrate in Malaysia.
He said bilateral cooperation must translate into strengthening regional security, including through initiatives driven by Malaysia when the nation served as ASEAN Chairman in 2025.
“The Home Ministry led six major ASEAN meeting series involving approximately 600 delegates. Among the crucial outcomes were the ASEAN Plan of Action in Combating Transnational Crime 2026–2035, Melaka Declaration on Combatting Transnational Crime, ASEAN Declaration on Countering People Smuggling, ASEAN Declaration on Combatting Cybercrime and Online Scams, as well as the ASEAN Border Management Cooperation Roadmap,” he said.
According to him, Malaysia will continue to play a constructive, reliable, and results-oriented security partner alongside China, ASEAN member states, partners across Asia, and the international community.
On technology, Saifuddin Nasution said advancements in the field must be harnessed to strengthen security institutions that are professional, accountable, and trusted by the people, rather than merely chasing sophistication.
“Because ultimately, when nations and enforcement agencies share information, build trust, and act together, the space for criminal syndicates to operate becomes smaller. When we cooperate, criminals lose,” he said.
— BERNAMA