logo
UK joins Asean talks on transnational crime for the first time

UK joins Asean talks on transnational crime for the first time

The Star28-06-2025
JAKARTA/KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The United Kingdom has for the first time participated in the Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) through an open consultation during the forum's 25th session held in Putrajaya, Malaysia from June 23 to 27.
The UK's involvement, represented by its Home Office Director of International Strategy, Engagement and Devolution Asim Hafeez, marks a significant step in its expanding partnership with Southeast Asia on regional security and law enforcement, according to a statement from the UK Mission to Asean.
During the session, the UK and Vietnam jointly presented a proposal for future regional efforts to combat trafficking in persons and scam centres, which were described as causing serious harm and undermining security across the region.
The engagement builds on existing UK-ASEAN cooperation, including a partnership between the UK's National Crime Agency and the ASEAN Chiefs of Police (ASEANPOL), and support for establishing an ASEAN Money Laundering Working Group in partnership with Malaysia and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
UK Ambassador to Asean Sarah Tiffin said the country was committed to working with Asean to tackle serious organised crime.
"These crimes not only harm individuals and communities, they erode trust, fuel corruption, weaken governance, and threaten the rule of law,' she said.
She said that the UK is pleased to support regional efforts against fraud and illicit finance, which are seen as drivers of organised crime and instability.
The UK has pledged to back the UNODC-INTERPOL Global Fraud Summit in Vienna in March 2026 and will host an Illicit Finance Summit in London, both aimed at strengthening international cooperation and advancing global standards.
Malaysia, which holds the Asean chair in 2025, also welcomed the deeper ties with the UK, particularly in efforts to strengthen financial integrity, tackle online scams, and dismantle criminal networks exploiting regional vulnerabilities. - Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Five suspects of loan shark activities nabbed for making threats, red paint attacks
Five suspects of loan shark activities nabbed for making threats, red paint attacks

The Star

time8 minutes ago

  • The Star

Five suspects of loan shark activities nabbed for making threats, red paint attacks

KOTA BARU: Police have arrested five suspects believed to be involved in illegal moneylending activities, including threats and acts of mischief, such as splashing red paint on borrowers' homes. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the suspects, aged between 25 and 39, were detained under Ops Vulture in separate raids. The first suspect was apprehended on Wednesday (July 23) in Pasir Tumboh, Kubang Kerian, while the other four were arrested on Friday following a red paint incident in Pasir Hor. Police also seized 34 items believed to have been used in these activities, including red paint, threatening notes, clothing, face masks, mobile phones, and motorcycles. "Preliminary investigations revealed that all five suspects are believed to be linked to at least nine cases of property damage in Kota Baru, Tumpat, and Tanah Merah. "Their actions included breaking window panes with stones, pasting threatening notes, and padlocking borrowers' gates as a form of intimidation," he said in a statement on Sunday night. Mohd Yusoff said the case is being investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 and Sections 427/506 of the Penal Code. The suspects have been remanded for further investigations. - Bernama

MADANI Framework Remains Grounded In Strong Moral Values, National Unity
MADANI Framework Remains Grounded In Strong Moral Values, National Unity

Barnama

time17 minutes ago

  • Barnama

MADANI Framework Remains Grounded In Strong Moral Values, National Unity

PUTRAJAYA, July 27 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring that Malaysia's development under the MADANI framework remains grounded in strong moral values and national unity. Speaking at a Majlis Ilmu MADANI event with Islamic scholars at Kompleks Seri Perdana here today, Anwar said that even though Malaysia is a multiracial country, the values of Islam are important in guiding its future. He added that while Malaysia wants to keep up with modern technology and move forward quickly, it should always stay true to strong morals and compassion. "We need to progress. We need to ensure that there is peace and political stability, to craft an economic move forward at a faster pace, an accelerated pace. But at the same time, we are mindful of the fact that as Muslims, the issue of values is very pertinent," he said. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. Yusuf Islam, the British musician formerly known as Cat Stevens and Dr Shaykha Haifaa Younis, an American Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist who is also a prominent Islamic scholar, were also present. On Gaza, Anwar said the world must not forget the pain and suffering endured by the Palestinian people amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Meanwhile, Haifaa also shared her Gaza journey where the place transformed her into a more spiritual person and left an unshakable imprint on her heart. 'The ummah (the Muslim community) is going through a tough time. Gaza is bleeding. It hurts deeply when I raise my hands to Allah, I know everyone is doing their best, but still I ask, what more can we do.

Nurul Izzah Pays Tribute To Bangladesh's July Revolution At Dhaka Conference
Nurul Izzah Pays Tribute To Bangladesh's July Revolution At Dhaka Conference

Barnama

timean hour ago

  • Barnama

Nurul Izzah Pays Tribute To Bangladesh's July Revolution At Dhaka Conference

WORLD NEW DELHI, July 27 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar on Sunday paid tribute to the 2024 student-led uprising in Bangladesh as a quest for sovereignty and dignity. Bangladesh is holding a series of events to mark the first anniversary of the fall of Sheikh Hasina's nearly 16-year rule as a result of what has become known as the July Revolution. She said the events of last year were not just a protest but became an avenue for the rebirth of the nation's spirit. "At the end of the day, any regime, no matter how powerful, cannot stand against the will of an awakened people," Nurul Izzah said. Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5 as protests mounted against her rule across Bangladesh. Nurul Izzah said the July Revolution is a reminder that "stability without justice is fragile." She also referred to the ongoing genocide by Israel in Gaza in her speech, which covered wide-ranging topics such as democratic and political reforms, her own struggles, youth activism and economic empowerment. Nurul Izzah said the "enabling of the genocidal onslaught in Gaza by the hegemons and their ilk reminds us of the need to reaffirm our solidarity." She spoke alongside international and Bangladeshi speakers at the first International Conference on the July Revolution, organised by the Dhaka-based think tank Research and Integrated Thought (RIT) and Dhaka University's Department of Political Science.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store