On January 10, 2025, the Handing and Taking Over Duties Ceremony for the Director for Police Services of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat was held at the Secretariat’s office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event was graced by dignitaries from the Embassies of the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of the Philippines, alongside the representative of the Inspector General of the Royal Malaysia Police, Senior Assistant Commissioner Dato’ Kamaruzzaman bin Abdullah. The solemn occasion marked the formal transition of responsibilities within the Secretariat's leadership.
Presided over by the Executive Director of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, Police Colonel David Martinez Vinluan, the ceremony witnessed the appointment of Police Senior Superintendent Huntal Tambunan from the Indonesian National Police as the new Director for Police Services, succeeding Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr. Bakri bin Zainal Abidin of the Royal Malaysia Police. In his speech, Colonel Vinluan expressed heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing director for their dedication, hard work, and invaluable contributions that elevated the Secretariat’s mission of fostering strategic police cooperation in the region. He extended his congratulations and warm welcome to the incoming director, emphasizing the Secretariat’s commitment to maintaining a strong, collaborative team to advance ASEANAPOL's goals and achieve greater milestones in ensuring the safety and security of Southeast Asia.
The newly appointed director’s term officially commenced on January 1, 2025, and will continue until the end of 2026, as outlined in the 42nd ASEANAPOL Joint Communiqué endorsed by the Chiefs of ASEANAPOL in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. This ceremony reflects ASEANAPOL’s dedication to its vision of being a center for excellence in regional police collaboration and its unwavering resolve to uphold safety and security across the ASEAN region.
"Together We Keep This Region Safe"