Strengthening cooperation with AIPA Parliament, BKSAP encourages transformation in tackling transnational crime

Reflecting the deepening regional relations with the potential for strategic cooperation in various areas, including tackling transnational crime and drug trafficking in Southeast Asia, the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) of the Indonesian House of Representatives attended the 7th session of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs (AIPACODD) on 7-8 August 2024 in Luang Prabang, Laos.

The delegation consisting of BKSAP Vice-Chair Putu Supadma Rudana (F-PD), Gilang Dhiela Fararez (F-PDIP) and Sukamta (F-PKS), as well as BKSAP member I Komang Koheri (F-PDIP), actively expressed Indonesia’s commitment to realizing the vision of a drug-free ASEAN community under the AIPA mechanism, during the meeting themed “Strengthening the Role of Parliaments in Addressing Drug Issues for a Drug-Free ASEAN Realization”. It is known that the AIPACODD Forum is a regular meeting between ASEAN parliaments to promote cooperation in drug control.

In his report, Delegation Leader Putu S Rudana described Indonesia’s various successes in eradicating drugs despite the complex geographical challenges and drug trafficking routes in Southeast Asia.

“Indonesia remains strongly committed to addressing the drug problem, both on the supply side through stricter regulations and on the demand side through rehabilitation, while continuing to strengthen regional cooperation to increase the effectiveness of these efforts,” Putu said.

In addition, BKSAP Vice Chairman Sukamta also conveyed Indonesia’s holistic approach in dealing with drug issues. “Effective handling must include every link in the crime chain, including financial infrastructure, money laundering and other criminal acts related to drug trafficking in the region,” Sukamta said.

One of the important discussions during this meeting was the plan to transform AIPACODD into AIPA-ACT (Advisory Council on Transnational Crime). This is planned to be achieved in 2026 during the 8th AIPACODD session in Malaysia.

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Putu S Rudana expressed Indonesia’s support for the changes, which are seen as important to shift the focus to various transnational crimes in the region; not only drug trafficking, but also human trafficking, cybercrime, terrorism, money laundering and environmental crime.

“This is a historic step, especially at a time when there is an urgent need for a regional framework to tackle cross-border crime,” Putu said.

The Indonesian delegation also managed to include a number of key points regarding the ASEAN Parliament’s commitment to using new technology to respond to various forms of drug trafficking crime.

In addition, the Indonesian delegation stressed the importance of partnerships in intelligence sharing, and in optimizing social media campaigns and other soft power approaches for educating and empowering the community, especially the younger generation, on the dangers of drugs.

The forum produced a resolution and report that were adopted by the 45th AIPA General Assembly in Vientiane, Laos, in October 2024. The Indonesian delegation hopes that the transformation of AIPACODD into AIPA-ACT will provide a stronger and more comprehensive framework for addressing transnational crime in the region. (RO/Z-3)