On January 10, 2025, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat celebrated a significant achievement with the inauguration of the “Kapanalig” Library at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including representatives from the Embassies of the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of the Philippines, as well as the Honourable Senior Assistant Commissioner Dato’ Kamaruzzaman bin Abdullah, Secretary of the Royal Malaysian Police, representing the Inspector General of Police.
The “Kapanalig” Library, named after the Filipino term meaning “Ally” or “Partner,” embodies ASEANAPOL’s commitment to fostering unity, collaboration, and shared purpose among its Member Countries, Dialogue Partners, Observers, and stakeholders. Designed to serve as a repository of knowledge, the library houses invaluable documents, research materials, and memorabilia that highlight ASEANAPOL’s efforts to combat transnational crime and promote regional security.
In his keynote address, Executive Director Police Colonel David Martinez Vinluan expressed profound gratitude to all contributors who made the library possible, emphasizing its pivotal role in empowering law enforcement agencies across ASEAN. He highlighted how the library would become a hub for sharing best practices, fostering innovation, and strengthening collective action against transnational crime.
The library’s resources were significantly enriched by the contributions of two key figures. Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr. Bakri bin Zainal Abidin of the Royal Malaysian Police, the outgoing Director for Police Services, donated his personal collection of books, leaving a legacy of knowledge-sharing that will benefit the region for years to come. General Noel Baraceros (Retired PNP) of the Bayaning Pulis Foundation further enhanced the library’s collection with approximately 30 books authored by former Philippine President Fidel Valdez Ramos, one of ASEANAPOL’s five founding fathers in 1981. These works reflect President Ramos’s vision and leadership in establishing ASEANAPOL as a pillar of regional law enforcement cooperation.
The ceremony also marked the appointment of a new Director for Police Services. The Senior Superintendent of Police from the Indonesian National Police officially assumed the role, succeeding Assistant Commissioner Dr. Bakri, whose contributions were lauded for advancing ASEANAPOL’s mission.
The “Kapanalig” Library inauguration represents a major step forward in ASEANAPOL’s efforts to strengthen knowledge-sharing and collaborative action. By equipping law enforcement agencies with essential tools and insights, the library is poised to make a lasting impact in the fight against transnational crime, reinforcing ASEANAPOL’s role as a leader in regional and global policing.
"Together We Keep This Region Safe"