Saifuddin: Asean must act swiftly to tackle looming cyber threats
PUTRAJAYA: Asean needs to act swiftly to curb cybercrime, financial crimes and ransomware attacks, which are becoming pressing security threats in the region.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said these challenges were no longer issues for the future issues, immediate threats which demand unity, courage and strategic cooperation so as to ensure regional security.
"In this fast-paced digital era, Asean must act proactively by strengthening legal, intelligence and enforcement capabilities through the latest technology, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
"Technological advancements must go hand-in-hand with comprehensive cybersecurity measures. However, technology alone is not enough; trust, information sharing, and joint capacity building would be the true strengths of our response," he added.
He said this in his opening speech at the 25th Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) and Related Meetings here.
Also present was Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman.
Saifuddin reiterated Malaysia's commitment to collaborating with Asean partners in combating transnational crime, aligning with the shared goals of regional peace, stability and prosperity.
"As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said, without security, there is no prosperity, and without peace, there is no meaningful progress.
"It is this spirit of consensus that has helped Asean face various challenges, and it must continue to guide us in confronting increasingly complex and escalating transnational crime threats," he said.
Saifuddin said Malaysia will continue to uphold Asean's core principles of moderation and unity, especially in the present global landscape which is increasingly pressured by geopolitical tensions.
"We believe that not taking sides is not a passive stance, but a principled strategy that protects collective credibility, preserves sovereignty and strengthens our unity.
"Therefore, we must ensure that commitment to consensus is accompanied by the courage to act, the courage to confront new and hybrid threats, the courage to reform outdated mechanisms and the courage to make bold policy decisions for the safety and dignity of our people."
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