H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN
Opening Remarks
At the Opening Ceremony of the Nineteenth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (19th AMMTC)
9 September 2025, Melaka, Malaysia
Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Chair of ASEAN 2025,
Honourable Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail, Minister of Home Affairs of Malaysia and Chair of the AMMTC for 2025,
Excellencies Ministers, SOMTC Leaders, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
A very good afternoon. At the outset, I wish to commend Malaysia for its effective leadership as the Chair of ASEAN and the Chair of the AMMTC this year, and for graciously hosting this significant gathering. It is a distinct honour for me to address you at the opening of the 19th AMMTC and its Related Meetings, here in the historic and culturally rich city of Melaka.
Melaka’s history as a hub of exchange reminds us of the enduring importance of dialogue and cooperation in our region. Today, as ASEAN deepens its communitybuilding efforts, this spirit of openness and collaboration continues to guide us in addressing the challenges that transcend borders and shape our collective future.
Excellencies, Ministers, Distinguished Delegates,
Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability” has achieved several milestones this year. Most notably, the 46th ASEAN Summit in May under the leadership of the Prime Minister, adopted ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, which sets out the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its four Strategic Plans for the Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural Communities, as well as ASEAN Connectivity. With this, ASEAN launches a new phase of community-building with greater clarity of purpose, direction and ambition, guided by shared principles of peace, prosperity, and resilience.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In addition, our Leaders announced that Timor-Leste will become the 11th member of ASEAN at the 47th ASEAN Summit next month. This development demonstrates ASEAN's ongoing commitment to fostering inclusivity and regional integration. Malaysia has also shown strategic foresight in strengthening consolidation of ASEAN’s intra-ASEAN trade through upgrade of ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) in advancing ASEAN’s external economic partnerships, thereby strengthening the region’s broader goals of economic diversification and sustainable development. Our collective progress in economic integration and digital transformation has created unprecedented opportunities for growth, innovation, and connectivity.
Yet, with every opportunity comes greater complexity. Transnational crime evolves in tandem with globalisation and digitalisation. Criminal networks exploit open economies, new technologies, and porous borders to diversify their activities. From trafficking in persons and illicit drugs, to cybercrime, money laundering, and environmental crimes, these threats undermine economic stability, weaken institutions, and erode public trust. Most worryingly, they target our most vulnerable communities, deepening inequality and insecurity.
This series of meetings convenes at a moment of renewed vision and purpose for our region. ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future provides a clear and ambitious roadmap for the next two decades, with Strategic Goal 5 of the APSC Strategic Plan confirming that transnational crime and border management remain priority areas for ASEAN. For the AMMTC, this Vision establishes a framework that shapes our work in countering transnational crime, securing our borders, and protecting our peoples' wellbeing.
In this context, I welcome our Meeting’s effort to adopt the ASEAN Plan of Action (POA) in Combating Transnational Crime (2026–2035). This POA is highly timely and relevant. It provides ASEAN law enforcement agencies with a long-term framework to set measurable targets, coordinate resources, and ensure responses that are comprehensive, inclusive, and forward-looking. By embedding the goals of the APSC Strategic Plan into a united regional strategy, the POA gives us the tools to move from vision to implementation.
The Declarations developed under the AMMTC this year further demonstrate our shared determination to address both current and emerging threats. Importantly, they recognize that transnational crime is multifaceted and cannot be addressed by the security sector alone. Stronger engagement with other ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, will be essential if we are to dismantle criminal networks and address the root causes of crime. I look forward to seeing these commitments translated into concrete cooperation, real actions and practical outcomes.
I also look forward to our forthcoming Consultations with the Plus Three countries. These engagements will be critical in strengthening law enforcement cooperation and aligning regional and international approaches to the challenges we face. Transnational crime respects no borders; our responses must be equally borderless in their coordination and effectiveness.
Excellencies, Ministers, Distinguished Delegates,
In closing, allow me to express my full confidence in Malaysia’s Chairmanship and leadership of the AMMTC for the remainder of this year. Under your able guidance, Excellency Datuk Seri, I am certain our cooperation in the ASEAN law enforcement sector will be further deepened.
As ASEAN once again finds itself at crossroads, the choices we make in addressing transnational crime will shape not only our security, but the prosperity and trust of future generations. The challenges before us are complex, but they are not insurmountable. Through unity, stability, foresight, and collective determination, ASEAN can remain a region of enduring peace, stability, security, and shared prosperity.
Let us seize this moment to strengthen the resilience of our Community and safeguard the future of our peoples.
I thank you.
SOURCE: Media Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA)
--BERNAMA