Transnational crimes: Interpol enhances cooperation with Malaysia

Interpol will use its regional office in Singapore to enhance cooperation with Malaysia in combating transnational crimes, especially cybercrime.

This was disclosed during a meeting between Malaysia's Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock in New York on Friday, the ministry said in a statement yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid is on a working visit to the United States from May 26 to June 1 for a United Nations (UN) Security Council ministerial briefing on foreign fighters.

During the meeting, both parties agreed that modern equipment and increased capacity were important to address the criminal threat, in addition to the cooperation of the local population.

Other issues discussed were modern policing and the need for information sharing with Interpol, especially on the increasing number of foreign fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid in his speech said although the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) 2015 was a preventive law, recovery or de-radicalisation were also carried out to enable those detained to return to society.

"This approach was also used during the implementation of the Internal Security Act 1969 which was abolished."

Since Febraury 2013, a total of 107 people comprising 87 men and 20 women, including 16 foreigners, were arrested for involvement with the so-called IS militant group.

Ahmad Zahid said 63 Malaysians went to Syria and Iraq and 11 were killed.

On securing the country's borders, he said Malaysia planned to conduct Advanced Passenger Screening System to screen visitors and conduct a comprehensive review of the immigration system.

At regional level, Malaysia as Chairman of ASEAN 2015 and Chairman of the 10th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crimes will host a special meeting on the Rise of Radicalisation and Extreme Violence on Oct 2.