Brunei Darussalam has called for faster cross-border cooperation to trace and freeze illicit proceeds from online scams, as regional ministers met in the Philippines to discuss transnational crime.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law) Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Sufian Haji Sabtu raised the issue during the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) in Makati City from October 19 to 21.
He said proceeds from online scams could be transferred out of the country within minutes, adding that money was moving faster than investigations could follow.
In his statement at the plenary session on October 20, the minister reaffirmed Brunei’s commitment to tackling trafficking in persons, terrorism and violent extremism, money laundering, online scams and illicit drug trafficking.
He also highlighted Brunei’s upgrade from Tier 2 Watch List to Tier 2 in the United States’ 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, marking a second consecutive year of improvement. He credited best practices shared by the Philippines, the ASEAN lead shepherd on trafficking in persons, and other ASEAN member states, while stressing that the upgrade should encourage further efforts rather than be treated as an endpoint.
On terrorism, the minister said the threat was no longer conventional, with particular concern over lone actors, especially young people who become radicalised online.
He also expressed concern over drug syndicates attempting to use Brunei as a transit point and reaffirmed the country’s firm stance against cannabis. He warned that its growing normalisation in some countries could create a false impression among young people that it was harmless, despite the risks to health and wellbeing.
The minister expressed Brunei’s support for the meeting’s joint statement and its commitment to working with ASEAN member states towards a safer and more secure region.
The Brunei delegation was led by the minister and included Permanent Secretary (Security and Law) at the Prime Minister’s Office and Brunei’s Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime leader, Awang Zulhusam Haji Abdul Samad, and other senior officials.
On 21 October, the minister also participated in consultations with ASEAN’s dialogue partners, including China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and reaffirmed Brunei’s commitment to strengthening cooperation against transnational crime.
He also held bilateral meetings with Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Philippine Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation against online scams, trafficking in persons, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
The meeting was chaired by Remulla and attended by ministers, heads of delegation and senior officials from ASEAN member states, as well as ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz.