On January 15, 2025, as part of the ASEANAPOL–UK National Crime Agency Capacity Building Workshop on Trafficking in Persons and Best Practice Victim Engagement, held from January 13 to 17, 2025, representatives from the ASEANAPOL Secretariat paid a courtesy call to Commander Danny Caruana of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Executive Director of Programs at the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC). The AFP has been an esteemed Dialogue Partner of ASEANAPOL since 2008, providing various capacity-building training programs for police officers of ASEANAPOL member countries.
This visit served as a valuable platform for discussing ongoing collaboration and strategic initiatives to enhance capacity-building efforts within the region, reinforcing the partnership between ASEANAPOL, AFP and JCLEC in combating trafficking in persons and improving victim engagement practices.
The ASEANAPOL Secretariat delegation was led by Police Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Ngoc, Director for Plans and Programmes (DPP), under the supervision of Executive Director Police Colonel David Martinez Vinluan. The delegation also included Superintendent Siva Pergahsum Shanmugam, Head of Administrative and Technical Staff; Deputy Superintendent of Police Abdul Hamid bin Abdul Hashim, Police and Service Officer I; and Assistant Superintendent of Police Engku Nurul 'Aini Engku Malek, Plans and Programmes Officer II.
During the visit, Commander Danny emphasized JCLEC’s ongoing role in regional law enforcement training and capacity building. Initially established in response to significant security challenges, JCLEC has since evolved into a critical hub for training and cooperation among ASEAN countries. Discussions highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration in various crime areas, including trafficking, drug offenses, wildlife crime, and cybercrime. Both Commander Danny and DPP expressed enthusiasm for strengthening partnerships, particularly in sharing training resources and addressing capacity gaps within law enforcement agencies across ASEAN member states.
Commander Danny also mentioned an upcoming meeting with the ASEANAPOL Secretariat during his visit to Kuala Lumpur next week, underscoring the value of continuous engagement among regional law enforcement agencies. In response, DPP reaffirmed ASEANAPOL’s commitment to equitable access to training resources and the systematic collection of data to better inform training needs, ensuring a structured approach to improving law enforcement effectiveness in the region.
Concluding the meeting, DPP, on behalf of Executive Director Police Colonel David Martinez Vinluan, presented the 13th ASEANAPOL Magazine to Commander Danny. This gesture symbolized the ongoing collaboration and commitment among ASEANAPOL member countries to fostering stronger police cooperation and enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in Southeast Asia. The discussions reflected a shared vision for continuous improvement, adaptation to emerging challenges, and a commitment to advancing security and justice within the region.
"Together We Keep This Region Safe"