MELAKA, Sept 11 — Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn has proposed that the regional bloc consider expanding the membership of dialogue partners under the Asean+3 framework, which currently includes China, Japan and South Korea.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the proposal was raised by Kao during the 19th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and related meetings here today.
“Asean+3 has been around since 1997, and the Asean secretary-general believes it is time to expand the membership of Asean dialogue partners because what matters most is to tap into their strengths.
“Sometimes these dialogue partners provide us with financial support, training in specific fields, logistics, and some even offer expertise,” he told a press conference after chairing the AMMTC here today.
He said the proposed expansion of Asean dialogue partners would allow members to derive greater benefits from other countries.
“For example, Asean has benefitted greatly, with China and South Korea having their own advantages, as does Japan,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution, however, stressed that the proposal was still at an early stage and no decision had been made.
“It was discussed but no decision has been finalised; it remains open-ended. More precisely, it will be deliberated and, if agreed upon, will be raised at the Asean Summit involving heads of government,” he said.
The AMMTC today also witnessed the handover of the 20th AMMTC chairmanship to the Philippines, officiated by Saifuddin Nasution.
Melaka has become the focus of the region as Asean ministers and senior officials responsible for security and combating transnational crime convene for the AMMTC, which ends tomorrow.
The programme is held in conjunction with Malaysia’s 2025 Asean chairmanship, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, reflecting the nation’s commitment to building a safer and more prosperous Asean community.
