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Asia-Pacific countries should work together to counter terror and crime threats: Masagos

SINGAPORE – It is in the common interest of all Asia-Pacific countries to band together to nurture networks of bilateral and multilateral cooperation against potential criminal activities, said Second Minister for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli.

Second Minister for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli at the official opening ceremony for Global Security Asia 2015, Asia’s first security conference on ISIS on March 3, 2015. Photo: Wee Teck Hian

Second Minister for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli at the official opening ceremony for Global Security Asia 2015, Asia’s first security conference on ISIS on March 3, 2015. Photo: Wee Teck Hian

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SINGAPORE – It is in the common interest of all Asia-Pacific countries to band together to nurture networks of bilateral and multilateral cooperation against potential criminal activities, said Second Minister for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli.

Speaking at the opening of the INTERPOL-Asian Regional Conference at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Mr Masagos outlined the three safety and security issues the region faces: traditional crime, the rising threat of terrorism and policing in the cyber domain.

In the realm of traditional crime, Mr Masagos said criminals are now aided by advances in technology. For instance, criminals can leverage on the Internet and web resources to facilitate trafficking for sexual exploitation.

“It is estimated that the annual earnings of transnational organised crime groups in the Asia-Pacific is US$360 billion,” he added.

On the rising threat of terrorism, Mr Masagos said radical Islamic movements have emerged due to globalisation, where these groups cooperate with larger terrorist groups outside the region for funding and training.

At the same time, the cyber domain is increasingly being used to spread fear, religious extremism and ideological propaganda.

Citing the cyber attack last week on French television network TV5Monde, Mr Masagos said it was a stern reminder of public platforms’ vulnerabilities.

“Singapore too has not been spared by cyber attacks, with both government and commercial websites targeted,” he said. “Cybercrime has the potential to inflict damage at all levels of society and is a major concern for the region and globally”.

Mr Masagos said countries have done well to facilitate regional dialogue on safety and security.

For instance, the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings on Transnational Crime, the East Asia Summit and ASEANAPOL allow leaders of the region to meet and discuss the pressing security challenges on a regular basis and how to deal with these challenges, he said.

INTERPOL member countries can actively leverage INTERPOL’s databases and information sharing networks to assist one another in crime fighting efforts, he said. “INTERPOL has a key role to play in safety and security and I would like to commend INTERPOL for its tireless efforts in building bridges amongst member countries to form a global network of crime fighters,” he said.

He added:”With the establishment of the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore, we can look forward to even better support from INTERPOL for the region’s crime fighting efforts, especially in the area of cybercrime”.

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