COLLECTIVE FIGHT. Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivers his remarks at the 17th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transborder Crime in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai District, East Nusa Tenggara, Monday (Aug. 21, 2023). He said Southeast Asian Nations should always be ready to face challenges, including eradicating transnational crimes that pose a grave threat to the region's security and stability. (Antara/Yashinta Diff)
JAKARTA – Indonesian President Joko Widodo invited fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations-member countries to collaborate in overcoming cross-border crimes.
"We need to build sustainable collaboration in exchanging information, utilizing technology, as well as increasing the capacity and professionalism of the apparatus," Jokowi said in a video recording of his remarks at the 17th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transborder Crime (AMMTC) in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai District, East Nusa Tenggara, Monday.
In the midst of global dynamics, Jokowi said, ASEAN should always be ready to face challenges, including eradicating transnational crimes that pose a grave threat to the region's security and stability.
Jokowi also highlighted that amid the current technological advancements, transnational crimes are growing at a massive scale and in more complex ways.
Hence, to this end, he pressed for the handling of these crimes to also be more adaptive, especially in relation to criminal acts of terrorism, criminal acts of human trafficking and illicit narcotics trade.
"I hope that at this meeting, a responsive cooperation agenda can be formulated, which contains strategic steps, so that we can maintain a safe, peaceful, and prosperous ASEAN region," Jokowi remarked.
Earlier, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) said Indonesia had prepared materials on domestic crimes to be discussed during the 17th AMMTC that will be held until Wednesday (Aug 23).
Polri encourages cooperation between ASEAN member countries to catch perpetrators of domestic crimes that had fled from Indonesia.
Apart from domestic crimes, Indonesia has proposed several issues to be discussed at the meeting, chaired by Indonesian National Police Chief General Pol. Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
As chairman, Prabowo will also raise matters pertaining to increasing cooperation and strengthening coordination in tackling transnational crimes, as it becomes the focus among ASEAN countries. (Antara)
