| Hakim Hayat |
PROSECUTORS General of ASEAN member states and China yesterday signed a joint declaration reaffirming strong commitment in working closer to address cybercrime and cybersecurity related threats, as well as other transnational organised crimes at both national and regional levels, following the conclusion of the 11th China-ASEAN Prosecutors General Conference.
The two-day meeting, hosted by Brunei this year and held at the Rizqun International Hotel, saw over 60 prosecutorial professionals from ASEAN member states and China holding discussions focussing on the sharing of best practices to address the challenges emerging from cybercrimes.
In the joint declaration, the Prosecutors General of ASEAN member states and China agreed to formulate, improve and strengthen measures to fight transnational crime – especially cybercrime – through various measures, including working with respective domestic agencies to improve procedures for investigations, collection of electronic evidence and protection of children against online sexual violence, and to evaluate the effectiveness of such measures on a regular basis.
They also agreed to enhance the specialisation of prosecutors and consider the establishment of specialised prosecution units to guide or assist other prosecutors in cases involving cybercrime and electronic evidence.
The Prosecutors General also concurred to further explore initiatives for the purpose of strengthening the capacity of prosecutors in handling transnational crimes, including the exchange of prosecutors, training of prosecutors, and sharing of experience and expertise in implementing and enforcing laws and measures to combat cybercrime and cybersecurity threats, as well as agree to strengthen cooperation with local law enforcement agencies and the private sector in their countries to ensure effective criminal justice response against cybercrime.
In addition to this, the Prosecutors General were in agreement on the need to raise awareness on cybercrime and associated risks by providing the public, especially children and the younger generation with information on the problem.
The joint declaration also emphasised the important role played by the China-ASEAN Prosecutors General Conference since its inception in 2004 in combating transnational crime, protecting social welfare and upholding national stability, thus contributing to promoting ASEAN-China relations as well as regional and international peace, stability and prosperity.
It also noted the increasing importance accorded by ASEAN to address cybercrime and cybersecurity related issues through various ASEAN mechanisms, and international organisations such as the International Association of Prosecutor (IAP) and its sub-organisation Global Prosecutor E-crime Network (GPEN), the International Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in tackling cybercrime through inter-organisational coordination, international cooperation and capacity building initiatives.
Penning the joint declaration for Brunei Darussalam was Attorney General and conference chairperson Dato Paduka Haji Hairol Arni bin Haji Abdul Majid.
Other officials signing the agreement were Procurator General of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Jun; Prosecutor General of the Kingdom of Cambodia Chea Leang; Vice Attorney General of the Republic of Indonesia Dr Arminsyah; Deputy Supreme People’s Prosecutor of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Xaysana Khotphouphone; Solicitor General II of Malaysia Datin Paduka Zauyah Be binti T Loth Khan; Deputy Attorney General of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Win Myint; Senior Counsel, Attorney-General of the Republic of Singapore Wong Yuen Kuai Lucien; Inspector General of the Kingdom of Thailand Nattachak Pattamsingh Na Ayuthaya; and Deputy Prosecutor General of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Tran Cong Phan.