38th ASEANAPOL CONFERENCE, NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

The 38^th ASEANAPOL Conference 2018 has been successfully hosted, between 3^rd September to 5^th September 2018, by the Royal Brunei Police Force, with the theme “Coherent as One, Facing Challenges”.

The objectives of the conference are to enhance police professionalism, forge stronger regional cooperation in policing and promote lasting friendship amongst police officers of ASEANAPOL Member Countries.

The Conference further reinforced all the initiatives deliberated and agreed upon during the 37^th ASEANAPOL Conference.  It was attended by the respective Chiefs of National Police together with their delegates from Negara Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of Cambodia, Republic of Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand, and Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.

Also in attendance were the Dialogue Partners, namely, the Australian Federal Police, Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China, National Police Agency of Japan, National Police Agency of the Republic of Korea, New Zealand Police, Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Turkish National Police, ASEAN Secretariat and ICPO-INTERPOL. The other participating bodies were the Observers from Fiji Police Force, National Police of Timor Leste, National Crime Agency of The United Kingdom, Europol, Federal Bureau of Investigation of United States (FBI), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The opening ceremony was graced by his Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, Inspector General of Police, Royal Brunei Police Force.

In his Majesty’s Titah, it was highlighted the vital role of ASEANAPOL in strengthening the close collaboration and cooperation in overcoming the ever complex transnational crimes faced by all ASEAN national police forces.

Therefore, coherence should be embedded within the value of each member country to ensure ASEANAPOL Member Count ries act as one, with one voice, for the safety and security of the Southeast Asian region.

New threats in traditional and non-traditional crimes will continue to present constant challenges for the police. With the aim of addressing both regional and global threats, it is vital for ASEANAPOL to enhance its partnership with law enforcement agencies from beyond the region. 

This includes establishing and maintaining close cooperation with other regional police organisations such as Interpol, Europol & others; as well as intensifying training, consultation and sharing of experiences in combating crime.

His Majesty underline that it is crucial for ASEANAPOL, as a multi-lateral body, to share the responsibility in the effort to achieve the objective of an ASEAN Security Community by 2020. Through its valuable work, ASEANAPOL can contribute to making the ASEAN Security Community a reality and success. 

The Host of the Conference and Chairman of ASEANAPOL 2018 - 2019, Honourable Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohd Jammy bin Haji Muhd Shah Al Islam, Commissioner of Police, Royal Brunei Police Force, delivered his welcome address whereby he re-affirmed the ASEANAPOL members’ commitment towards promoting stability in the region by supporting the initiatives of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint.

The subsequent three days conference had been fruitful among the member countries whereby the various areas of issues that included terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking and cybercrimes were deliberated.  Resolutions were finally agreed upon with a Joint Communiqué signing by the Chiefs of National Police on 5^th September 2018, the end of the conference, to fight against the various transnational crimes.

All delegates were given a grand Gala Dinner on the 5^th September 2018 evening hosted by the Royal Brunei Police Force where everyone was treated to a variety of performances and great food.

The Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam will be hosting the 39^th ASEANAPOL Conference 2019.