THE rise in cybercrime across Southeast Asia, from financial scams to ransomware attacks, demands urgent and unified regional action, Malaysia’s Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today.
Speaking at the 25th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) in Kuala Lumpur, Saifuddin warned that cyber threats are no longer future risks but present and pressing realities.
“This is not a future issue—it is a current crisis. Our digital defences must evolve as fast as technology itself,” he said.
He stressed the need for ASEAN countries to adopt cutting-edge technologies, particularly responsible artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance detection, prevention and enforcement mechanisms.
However, Saifuddin cautioned that “technology alone is not enough,” highlighting the importance of trust, intelligence sharing and mutual capacity-building among ASEAN member states.
“We must deepen collaboration through platforms such as SOMTC to ensure regional responses keep pace with the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape,” he said.
Malaysia, he added, remains committed to working closely with ASEAN counterparts to safeguard the region’s digital space.
“This is not something we merely ought to do—it is something we must do. The goal is shared peace, security and regional stability,” Saifuddin said.
He also warned against geopolitical divisions, calling international cooperation a cornerstone of regional stability, not only for shared security but also for economic resilience and public confidence in institutions.
“Non-alignment should not be mistaken for passivity. It is, in fact, a strategic posture that protects collective credibility, preserves sovereignty and strengthens ASEAN unity,” he said.
Saifuddin underscored the need for ASEAN to match its consensus-based approach with decisiveness in the face of emerging and hybrid threats.
“We need not just coordination, but courage—the courage to confront new threats, to reform outdated mechanisms, and to make bold policy decisions in defence of our people’s security and dignity,” he said.
He also echoed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent remarks at the 46th ASEAN Summit, urging member states to act with foresight, principle and resolve in navigating regional and global challenges.
Describing SOMTC as more than a routine meeting, Saifuddin called it a symbol of ASEAN’s collective will to combat transnational crime.
“These meetings are vital in strengthening regional enforcement efforts, sharing best practices, and fostering cross-border cooperation,” he said. - June 24, 2025
