On March 4, 2025, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat convened a virtual Working Group meeting to review the 10 core crime areas. The primary objective was to assess the continued relevance of these crime areas to the current policing efforts of member states, as mandated by the 42nd ASEANAPOL Conference. The meeting also sought to explore the possibility of merging or eliminating certain crime areas to reflect technological advancements and shifting priorities.
Chaired by Executive Director David Martinez Vinluan, the meeting was attended by ASEANAPOL Member Countries' contact persons along with their respective subject-matter experts. Executive Director Vinluan was accompanied by key ASEANAPOL Secretariat officials, including Director of Police Services Senior Superintendent Huntal Tambunan, Director for Plans and Programs Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Ngoc, Head of Administration and Staff Office Superintendent Siva Pergahsum Shanmugam, Plan and Program Officer I DSP Suresh Subramaniam, Policing Services Officer I DSP Abdul Hamid Abdul Hashim, Plan and Program Officer II ASP Engku Nurul 'Aini Engku Malek, and Policing Services Officer II ASP Nithia Perumal.
At the outset, Executive Director Vinluan introduced ASEANAPOL, outlining its mission to combat transnational crime in Southeast Asia. He emphasized that ASEANAPOL, established in 1981, now comprises 10 member states and collaborates with various international partners.
During the meeting, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Ngoc, Director of Planning and Programmes (DPP), presented statistical data illustrating the evolution of the core crime areas since ASEANAPOL’s inception. He highlighted the four key activities coordinated by the Secretariat: developing an electronic database system, exchanging personnel and training, enhancing forensic capabilities, and facilitating mutual legal assistance. Additionally, he explained the ongoing efforts to align ASEANAPOL’s mandate with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and INTERPOL’s global policing objectives. He also noted the Secretariat’s initiative to refine definitions of core crime areas and develop a database that complements, rather than duplicates, existing international resources.
This meeting marked the first Working Group session dedicated to coordinating ASEANAPOL’s efforts in combating transnational crime and reviewing the relevance of its core crime areas. Discussions also covered the organizational structure of ASEAN police forces and the coordination of their activities. Representatives from various member states provided feedback on the proposed adjustments, with some requesting additional time and information for internal consultations before reaching a final decision.
In conclusion, the review of ASEANAPOL's core crime areas is essential to ensure they remain relevant to the evolving transnational crime landscape. The dynamic nature of crime, including the emergence of new threats, requires ASEANAPOL to adopt internationally recognized definitions and align its priorities with global law enforcement strategies. By doing so, ASEANAPOL can enhance its effectiveness in addressing transnational crime while ensuring that its focus areas reflect the most pressing security challenges faced by member states.
"Together We Keep This Region Safe"