Vietnam, Malaysia step up cooperation in fight against crime

Malaysian King Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah on February 13 suggested Vietnam and Malaysia step up bilateral cooperation in various spheres, especially in the fight against transnational crime.

Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General To Lam. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General To Lam. (Photo: VNA)

During a reception for Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General To Lam, who paid a working visit to Malaysia from February 12-13, King Abdullah noted with pleasure the fruitful development of the strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as relations between the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security.

For his part, Lam stressed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the strategic partnership with Malaysia which was set up in 2015 and has served as an important premise for the two countries to boost bilateral cooperation in various fields.

The minister expressed his hope that the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership would develop more comprehensively, practically and effectively in the time ahead.

Lam briefed King Abdullah on the outcomes of the talks between the two ministries during which they agreed on orientations to boost cooperation in ensuring security and order, and combating transnational crime, especially in 2020 when Vietnam serves as the Chair of ASEAN and non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council while Malaysia hosts APEC meetings.

During the earlier talks, Minister of Public Security To Lam and Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs Muhyddin Yassin agreed to accelerate the organisation of the first meeting of the deputy ministerial-level joint working group on transnational crime combat within the framework of the above-said agreement.

At the same time, they will continue with their partnership in counter-terrorism through bilateral and multilateral channels like the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) and the ASEAN National Police (ASEANAPOL), while strengthening cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Community.

The two sides will also step up the sharing of information relating to cyber security and cyber and high-tech crime, and consider establishing a coordination mechanism in this regard.