Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, 6 May 2025 — The ASEANAPOL Secretariat and the ASEAN Secretariat held a virtual working-level meeting to renew strategic cooperation, explore engagement with ASEAN sectoral bodies, and prepare for a proposed courtesy call by ASEANAPOL Executive Director Police Colonel David Martinez Vinluan to H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between the two entities and emphasized their shared commitment to addressing transnational crime. ASEANAPOL raised concerns on communication delays in ASEAN meetings, which the ASEAN Secretariat acknowledged, reaffirming ASEANAPOL’s recognized status and its continued support.
Discussions focused on aligning ASEANAPOL’s 14 crime priorities with the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC). ASEANAPOL expressed interest in participating in SOMTC open sessions, with ASEAN committing to facilitate engagement through the SOMTC Chair (Malaysia).
ASEANAPOL also welcomed an invitation to the ASEAN Entities Forum on 18 June 2025 and extended an invitation to the ASEAN Secretariat to attend the ASEANAPOL Contact Persons Meeting from 26–30 May 2025. Additionally, ASEANAPOL shared its multi-year activity plan, with ASEAN agreeing to explore support and resources for aligned initiatives.
Representing ASEANAPOL were Executive Director Col. Vinluan, PSSupt. Huntal Tambunan, PSLtCol. Nguyen Huu Ngoc, DSPs Suresh Subramaniam and Abdul Hamid Hashim, and ASP Nithia Perumal. The ASEAN Secretariat was represented by Directors Garry Ramlee Ibrahim and Un Sovannasam.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing on next steps to strengthen operational cooperation and strategic engagement in tackling transnational crime in the region.
"Together We Keep This Region Safe"