MALAYSIA will lead the presentation of three pivotal declarations targeting cross-border crime as part of its agenda at the 47th ASEAN Summit, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has announced.
The declarations are outcomes of the 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) held from 8 to 12 September in Melaka, serving as strategic complements to the regional action plan guiding ASEAN’s approach to crime prevention over the next decade.
“This ASEAN Summit is not merely a continuation, but an important bridge to ensure that the outcomes of the AMMTC discussions in Melaka are translated into concrete policies at the ASEAN leadership level,” Saifuddin said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
The AMMTC agreed in Melaka to adopt the ASEAN Action Plan on Combating Transnational Crime 2026-2035, a long-term strategic framework aimed at strengthening intelligence cooperation, justice systems, digital security, social resilience, and law enforcement capacity across the region.
The first declaration, led by Malaysia, is the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Preventing Money Laundering, which underscores ASEAN’s commitment to bolstering regional financial integrity through tighter regulation, enhanced intelligence sharing, and cross-agency cooperation to effectively combat illicit financial activities.
The second, proposed by Vietnam, is the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Monitoring and Apprehending Cross-Border Criminal Fugitives.
This declaration stresses the urgent need for ASEAN to accelerate the detection, capture, and extradition of transnational criminals by improving information exchange, coordinating operations, and strengthening extradition agreements to ensure no safe havens exist within the region.
The third, introduced by Indonesia, is the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Harnessing Sports to Strengthen Social Resilience against Extremism. It adopts a progressive and inclusive approach by using sport and youth development to build social cohesion, foster unity, and prevent radicalisation through positive community engagement.
“These three declarations form a critical foundation ahead of the ASEAN Summit, translating the commitments made in Melaka into regional policies and action plans anchored by the ASEAN Action Plan 2026-2035,” Saifuddin remarked.
He expressed pride in Malaysia’s role as host of the strategic talks, highlighting the nation’s diplomatic capabilities in steering complex negotiations and its dedication to shaping ASEAN as a safe, inclusive, and resilient region.
“This embodies the spirit of Malaysia Madani that we bring to the ASEAN stage—building a peaceful, progressive region grounded in universal humanitarian values,” he added.
The 47th ASEAN Summit, themed “Inclusion and Sustainability,” is scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur from 26 to 28 October, bringing together the highest leaders of the 10 ASEAN member states alongside key dialogue partners including the United States, China, Japan, and India. - October 22, 2025
