Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to speed cooperation against online fraud and illicit financial flows during its transnational-crime meeting in the Philippines.
The 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime began its sessions Oct. 19 and concluded Oct. 21 in Makati City. Saifuddin outlined his proposals in a national statement on Oct. 20, before the talks ended.
He urged governments to respond faster when online fraud and illicit financial activity crosses borders, improve investigators’ use of digital evidence and asset recovery, and build closer operational ties among member states and international partners. Saifuddin said illicit proceeds can cross borders within minutes, while investigations and legal processes take much longer.
In a separate Facebook post on Oct. 22, Saifuddin said closer relationships and mutual understanding among ASEAN members support regional peace and security.
The Philippine Information Agency said the meeting agenda included trafficking, cybercrime, drug trafficking, money laundering and illicit arms smuggling. A release from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said ministers would consider proposed outcome documents and country-led initiatives. The Philippines plans to elevate them for notation at the 49th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in November.
