KUALA LUMPUR: Strengthening cooperation mechanisms across defence, law enforcement and legal institutions is vital to safeguarding peace and stability in the Asean region.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said, as the region confronts an increasingly complex security environment, Malaysia remains deeply concerned over its far-reaching implications.
He said the intricate security challenges have profoundly affected the fabric of the bloc’s societies, endangered the safety of its citizens, and posed direct threats to economic resilience and national security.
“This reminds us of the need to strengthen cooperation, coordination, and regional efforts to counter transnational crime.
“It also underscores the importance of adaptability in addressing the challenges of this ever-evolving global security landscape.
“Such an environment, marked by geopolitical and geoeconomic competition, economic uncertainty, and transnational threats, highlights the need for Asean to stay united, consistent, and forward-looking,” he said.
Mohamad said this in his remarks at the 30th Asean Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting.
He said Asean has identified key action lines to enhance legal systems, judicial foundations, and security cooperation through the APSC Strategic Plan.
The APSC Strategic Plan under the Community Vision 2025, also known as “Asean 2045: Our Shared Future”, serves as a continuation of the APSC Blueprint 2025.
“Looking ahead, the APSC Strategic Plan will serve as our compass for the coming decades.
“This will indeed help improve the safety and security of our citizens,” he said.
Mohamad added that under Malaysia’s chairmanship, Asean has also intensified efforts to enhance trust among its security apparatus, strengthen cooperation against transnational crimes, advance the rule of law, and ensure that human rights remain central to the bloc’s community-building efforts.
These, he said, are important manifestations of Asean’s shared commitment to advancing the APSC’s goals and strengthening the grouping’s rules-based community of shared values and norms.
Mohamad said, in strengthening law enforcement cooperation, Asean has also taken innovative steps to combat the nexus between transnational crime, money laundering, and sophisticated cyber-enabled crimes, including online scams.
“At Malaysia’s initiative, the Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) Working Group on Money Laundering was established.
“Progress in the defence sector has been equally significant, with the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus conducting numerous exercises and new initiatives in cyber, maritime, and health security.
“In addition, the Asean defence ministers have agreed to cooperate in the field of artificial intelligence in defence, namely by raising awareness of the implications of AI in the sector and ensuring its responsible application within the military domain,” he said.
On human rights, he said, the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) has championed issues such as the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, as well as the right to peace.
He said AICHR has also advanced the Asean Guideline on the Implementation of the Non-Punishment Principle for the Protection of Victims of Trafficking in Persons — a collective step towards addressing injustices faced by trafficking victims.
“It reaffirms Asean’s collective commitment to upholding human dignity, ensuring justice and protection for victims, and aligning regional practices with international human rights and anti-trafficking standards.
“Under the legal framework, Asean law ministers have committed to promoting arbitration and mediation mechanisms aligned with international standards to support regional economic integration.
“Meanwhile, the long-awaited Asean Extradition Treaty is now in its final stage of completion and is expected to be signed next month,” he said.
Mohamad added that the recent establishment of the Asean Prosecutors/Attorneys-General Meeting (APAGM) will further strengthen regional collaboration and coordination in prosecution and the fight against transnational crimes.
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