Kuala Lumpur: The rising threats of cybercrime, from financial scams to ransomware attacks, highlight the urgent need for stronger and more coordinated cooperation among ASEAN member countries, Malaysia’s Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said on June 24.

According to Lao News Agency, Saifuddin spoke at the 25th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) in Kuala Lumpur, emphasizing that cyber threats are present and pressing realities. He urged ASEAN countries to adopt cutting-edge technologies, particularly responsible artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance detection, prevention, and enforcement mechanisms.

Saifuddin stressed that technology alone is insufficient, highlighting the importance of trust, intelligence sharing, and mutual capacity-building among ASEAN member states. He advocated for deeper collaboration through platforms like SOMTC to ensure regional responses keep pace with the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.

Malaysia remains committed to working closely with ASEAN counterparts to safeguard the region’s digital space. Saifuddin underscored the need for ASEAN to match its consensus-based approach with decisiveness in the face of emerging and hybrid threats. He recalled Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks at the 46th ASEAN Summit, urging member states to act with firm determination in navigating regional and global challenges.

Describing SOMTC as more than a routine gathering, Saifuddin called it a symbol of ASEAN’s collective will to combat transnational crime. He emphasized that these meetings are vital in strengthening regional enforcement efforts, sharing best practices, and fostering cross-border cooperation.