Latest news with #25thAseanSeniorOfficialsMeetingonTransnationalCrime
The Star
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Asean urged to use AI against cybercrime
PUTRAJAYA: New technologies such as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) are needed to fight online financial crimes and ransomware attacks plaguing Asean, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The Home Affairs Minister said the use of such new technologies will help enforcement authorities in the region work together to detect, prevent and tackle new emerging crimes in the region. 'The rise of cybercrimes, from financial scams to ransomware attacks, shows that this is not just a future problem. It is a pressing issue right now. 'Our digital intelligence must evolve as fast as technologies do, which means we must responsibly adopt new technologies such as the use of AI to significantly improve detection, prevention and enforcement against these crimes,' he said in his speech at the opening 25th Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) here yesterday. While the use of new technologies is crucial, Saifuddin Nasution said it is only part of the solution in combating cyber threats in the Asean region. 'While we may have the use of these new tools, the true strength comes from our collective responses. 'This includes trust, sharing of information and building on each other's capabilities,' he added. He said efforts to combat regional transborder crimes must be equally matched with willingness among Asean member states to act decisively. 'What we need is not only our alignment but also the courage to confront new and hybrid threats,' he said, adding that this includes discarding outdated mechanisms and making bold decisions. He reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to fighting transboundary crimes. 'It is crucial for the safety and stability of the shared prosperity of Asean. 'Without security, there can be no prosperity and without peace, there can be no meaningful progress,' he said. Saifuddin Nasution also said that Malaysia continues to hold on firmly to Asean's core principle of neutrality. He said this is even more crucial for Asean now in the currently divided global landscape.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Collective will, new tech vital to fight cyber threats in Asean
PUTRAJAYA: New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are needed to fight the online financial crimes and ransomware attacks plaguing Asean, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The Home Minister said using such technologies would help enforcement agencies in the region work together to detect, prevent and tackle these crimes. "The rise of cybercrime, everything from financial scams to ransomware attacks, shows us that this is not a 'future problem'. "It is a pressing issue right now. ALSO READ: 'Need for global action to counter cyber threat spike' "Our digital intelligence must evolve as fast as technologies and this means we must adopt new technologies such as the use AI responsibly to significantly improve detection, prevention and enforcement against these crimes," he said in his speech at the opening of the 25th Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) here on Tuesday (June 24). While the use of new technologies is crucial, Saifuddin said it is only a part of the solution in countering cyber threats in Asean. "While we may have the use of these new tools, the true strength comes from our collective responses. "This includes trust, sharing of information and building on each other's capabilities," he added. ALSO READ: MyCert: Malaysia data breaches up 29% in Q1 2025 He said efforts to combat regional transborder crimes must be matched by a willingness to act decisively among member states. "What we need is not only our alignment but courage to confront new, hybrid threats," he said, adding that this included discarding outdated mechanisms and making bold decisions. He said Malaysia remains fully committed in fighting transborder crimes as it crucial for the continued peace and progress of the region. "It is crucial for the safety, stability and the shared prosperity of Asean. "Without security, there can be no prosperity, and without peace, there can be no meaningful progress," he said. ALSO READ: Phishing, online scams dominate global cybercrime landscape, says Interpol Meanwhile, Saifuddin said that Malaysia continues to firmly hold on to Asean's core principle of neutrality. This is even more crucial for Asean in the current, divided global landscape, he added. "We believe that not choosing sides is not being tacit. "It is a strategic approach that protects our collective sovereignty and strengthens our unity. "Asean's strength has always stemmed from its unity and inclusivity in diversity," he said.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
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."
