MELAKA, Sept 11 — Malaysia hopes regional cooperation in combating transnational crime will be strengthened to protect lives, and restore affected communities’ dignity.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the mission cannot be shouldered by any single nation, but requires a strong sense of solidarity among Asean members.
“As the Malay proverb tells us, ‘berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing’. This is the essence of Asean, which is solidarity, cooperation and trust,” he said in his welcoming remarks at a gala dinner for the 19th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and related meetings here tonight.
He said Asean is not only about documents or declarations but about its people, friendship and the assurance that when a crisis strikes, members will stand side by side as neighbours, partners and friends.
“Malaysia is proud to chair the AMMTC this year. For me, this is more than a duty; it is a privilege to walk alongside my Asean brothers and sisters in the shared mission of building a safer, more secure region for the generations to come,” Saifuddin Nasution said.
