FIRST MALAYSIA-SINGAPORE JWC MEETING STRENGTHENS CROSS-BORDER SECURITY

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Singapore are strengthening cross-border security cooperation through the inaugural Malaysia-Singapore Joint Working Committee (JWC) Meeting on Preventing and Combating Transnational Crime, held today.

In a statement, the Home Ministry said it hosted the meeting in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, which was co-chaired by its Secretary-General Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman and Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs Development) Tan Chye Hee.

It said the meeting was held under the framework of the Malaysia-Singapore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Prevention and Combating of Transborder Crime, signed in Singapore on Nov 14, 2024, by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Singapore’s Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam.

In this regard, discussions focused on cooperation in several areas, including the smuggling of drugs and psychotropic substances, terrorism, cybercrime including online fraud, as well as border security.

“Overall, both ministries agreed to strengthen efforts to combat transborder crime, including through intelligence and information sharing between agencies, the exchange of experiences and best practices, and the use of the latest technology, including artificial intelligence (AI),” it said.

In addition, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation at the ASEAN level through platforms such as the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC).

The meeting underscores Malaysia and Singapore’s joint responsibility in enhancing cross-border and regional security, consistent with commitments made by both Prime Ministers at the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in Putrajaya last January.

“Malaysia and Singapore share the same goal of ensuring stability, peace and harmony for their people. Cooperation through this meeting also symbolises the strategic trust between the two neighbours, which has remained strong and resilient,” it said.

The ministry said the meeting would serve as a foundation for strengthening ongoing cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore’s Home Affairs ministries, particularly in monitoring the progress of programmes under the MoU.

It added that this effort is in line with the Malaysia MADANI vision, the implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), and ASEAN’s priorities in fostering a safe, prosperous and competitive region.

-- BERNAMA