Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) invited fellow member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 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 noted 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, the 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, Jokowi 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) stated that Indonesia had prepared materials on domestic crimes to be discussed at the 17th AMMTC that will be held until Wednesday (Aug 23). Polri encourages cooperation between the ASEAN member countries to catch perpetrators of domestic crimes that had fled from Indonesia to go abroad. part from domestic crimes, Indonesia proposed several issues to be discussed at the meeting chaired by Indonesian National Police Chief General Pol. Listyo Sigit Prabowo. s chairman, Prabowo will also raise matters pertaining to increasing cooperation and strengthening coordination in tackling transnational crimes, as it becomes the focus of ASEAN countries.
Source: Antara News Agency