Malaysia and Singapore strengthen security ties through inaugural Joint Working Committee meeting, focusing on transnational crime and intelligence sharing.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Singapore have strengthened cross-border security cooperation through their inaugural Joint Working Committee meeting.
The meeting focused on preventing and combating transnational crime between the two nations.
Held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, the session was co-chaired by Malaysia’s Home Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman and Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Tan Chye Hee.
Discussions covered cooperation in drug smuggling, terrorism, cybercrime including online fraud, and border security.
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Both ministries agreed to enhance efforts against transborder crime through intelligence sharing and experience exchange.
They also committed to utilizing the latest technology, including artificial intelligence, in their security operations.
The meeting operated under the framework of the Malaysia-Singapore Memorandum of Understanding on transborder crime prevention.
This MoU was signed in Singapore on November 14, 2024, by both countries’ home ministers.
Additionally, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation at the ASEAN level through established platforms.
These include the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime.
The meeting reflects Malaysia and Singapore’s joint responsibility in enhancing cross-border and regional security.
This aligns with commitments made by both prime ministers at January’s Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in Putrajaya.
Both nations share the goal of ensuring stability, peace and harmony for their people.
The cooperation symbolizes the strategic trust between the two neighbours, which remains strong and resilient.
The meeting will serve as a foundation for strengthening ongoing cooperation between the home affairs ministries.
It will particularly help monitor progress of programmes under the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding.
This effort aligns with the Malaysia MADANI vision and implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan.
It also supports ASEAN’s priorities in fostering a safe, prosperous and competitive region. – Bernama
