Myanmar crisis contributes to cross-border crime: FM

Vientiane, Laos (ANTARA) –
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said the crisis in Myanmar, which has disrupted the country’s stability, is contributing to cross-border crimes, such as human trafficking and online scams, in the Southeast Asian region.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane, Laos, Marsudi said on Wednesday that cross-border organized crime has become a concern for almost all ASEAN member states, including Indonesia.

“Concerns about transnational organized crime, including online scams and online gambling, are a concern for almost all countries,” she noted at a press conference.

“These concerns were raised in the context of Myanmar. So, unstable Myanmar has caused a lot of activities related to cross-border crimes,” she added.

The Foreign Minister further said that cooperation among ASEAN countries should be strengthened to tackle a number of emerging crimes such as human trafficking, online gambling and online scams.

Indonesia has also established bilateral cooperation with Cambodia, Myanmar and the Philippines to tackle cross-border crimes, especially those related to technology.

According to Marsudi, bilateral cooperation with local government authorities is needed to handle cases or evacuate Indonesian citizens, many of whom fall victim to the crimes.

In addition to the bilateral cooperation, ASEAN leaders agreed to a declaration during the grouping’s Indonesian chairmanship in 2023.

The statement emphasized cooperation in tackling cross-border crimes as victims come not only from Indonesia but also from other ASEAN member states.

“When Indonesia became chairman, there was a declaration. A declaration of cooperation in tackling cross-border crimes related to technology. It includes the problem of online scams and also online gambling,” she stressed.

“So we are trying to address this issue both bilaterally and through the ASEAN mechanism,” Marsudi added.

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