Malaysia, UNODC strengthen cooperation to tackle complex transnational crimes, says Saifuddin Nasution

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — Malaysia aims to strengthen cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through more practical and result-oriented initiatives to address the increasingly complex threat of transnational organised crime. 

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the matter was discussed during his meeting with the UNODC regional representative for South-east Asia and the Pacific on the final day of his working visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), in conjunction with the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. 

He said during the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the increasingly complex landscape of transnational organised crime, particularly criminal networks exploiting digital technology to expand their activities across borders and jurisdictions. 

“As a country strategically located in the heart of Asean, Malaysia takes these developments seriously. Our approach involves not only integrated enforcement but also prevention, cutting off illicit financial flows and strengthening regional and international cooperation,” he said in a statement posted on his social media page yesterday. 

Elaborating, Saifuddin Nasution said the discussions also focused on efforts to tackle cyber-enabled organised crime, the illicit trafficking of people and contraband, as well as the misuse of emerging technologies by criminal networks. 

He said Malaysia recognised the importance of UNODC continuing to support Asean countries through regional capacity building, information sharing and exchange of best practices. 

“Cross-border threats continue to evolve and expand, and strong cooperation networks with regional and international partners are an important part of our efforts to ensure Malaysia’s security remains safeguarded,” he said. — Bernama