1. The 28th ASEAN Chiefs of Police Conference (ASEANAPOL XXVIII) was held at the Empire Hotel, Brunei Darussalam from 25 – 29 May 2008.
2. The objectives of the Conference were to enhance police professionalism, forge stronger regional cooperation in police work, and promote lasting friendship amongst police officers of ASEAN countries.
3. The Conference was attended by delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of Cambodia, Republic of Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Union of Myanmar, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand, and Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The delegations were respectively led by:
3.1. PEHIN DATU KERMA SETIA CP DATO PADUKA SERI ZAINUDDIN BIN JALANI
Commissioner of Police
Royal Brunei Police Force
Brunei Darussalam
3.2. POL. GENERAL HOK LUNDY
Commissioner-General
Cambodian National Police
Kingdom of Cambodia
3.3. COMM. GENERAL DRS R. MAKBUL PADMANAGARA
Deputy Chief of Indonesian National Police
Republic of Indonesia
3.4. POL. COLONEL DR. SOMVANG THAMMASITH
Deputy Director General
General Department of Police
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
3.5. TAN SRI DATO’ SERI MUSA BIN DATO’ HAJI HASSAN
Inspector-General of Police
Royal Malaysia Police
Malaysia
3.6. POL. BRIGADIER GENERAL ZAW WIN
Deputy Chief of Myanmar Police Force
Union of Myanmar
3.7. POL. DIRECTOR GENERAL AVELINO I RAZON Jr.
Chief of Philippine National Police
Republic of the Philippines
3.8. DATO SERI PAHLAWAN CP KHOO BOON HUI
Commissioner of Police
Singapore Police Force
Republic of Singapore
3.9. POL. GENERAL DATO’ PRUNG BOONPADUNG
Deputy Commissioner General
Royal Thai Police
Kingdom of Thailand
3.10. POL. MAJOR GENERAL PHAM QUY NGO
Director General
Police General Department
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
4. The Conference was also attended by dialogue partners of the following national police forces: Australian Federal Police, Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China, National Police Agency of Japan, National Police Agency of the Republic of Korea, and the New Zealand Police as well as guests from the ASEAN Secretariat and ICPO Interpol.
5. Yang DiMuliakan Pehin Datu Kerma Setia CP Dato Paduka Seri Zainuddin bin Jalani, Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force delivered a welcome address.
6. His Royal Highness DIGP Prince Hj Al Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, delivered a keynote address on the significance of the ASEANAPOL Conference in safeguarding regional security, and thereafter declared the Conference open.
7. The Conference deliberated on the following topics of mutual interest:
7.1 Illicit Drugs Trafficking;
7.2. Terrorism;
7.3 Arms Smuggling;
7.4 Human Trafficking;
7.5 Maritime Fraud;
7.6 Commercial Crime, Bank Offences and Credit Card Fraud;
7.7 Cyber Crime;
7.8 Fraudulent Travel Documents;
7.9 Transnational Fraud;
7.10 Progress on Establishment of a Permanent ASEANAPOL Secretariat;
7.11 Progress on Electronic-ASEANAPOL Database System (e-ADS);
7.12 Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters; and
7.13 Exchange of Personnel and Training Programmes amongst ASEAN Police Forces.
8. After much deliberation in the traditional ASEAN spirit of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity, the Conference adopted the following resolutions:
8.1. Illicit Drugs Trafficking
8.1.1. To enhance the timely and accurate exchange of information amongst member countries on syndicates involved in the illicit production and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, such as their trafficking routes and modus operandi, with a view to conduct coordinated operations or investigations against illicit drug production and trafficking;
8.1.2. To enhance the timely and accurate exchange of information amongst member countries on the movement of precursor chemicals and other suspicious items for the purpose of setting up clandestine laboratory and the effective control of precursor chemicals and prevention of their diversion for use in the manufacture of illicit drugs;
8.1.3. To enhance capacity in regulating chemical precursors to stem the illicit diversion of these substances for the production of illicit drugs;
8.1.4. To enhance coordination, cooperation and collaboration through intelligence sharing for the identification, tracing, freezing, forfeiture or confiscation of assets derived from the proceeds of drug trafficking, in accordance with the laws of each respective country;
8.1.5. To enhance cooperation in regional training, sharing of best practices, personnel exchange programmes and other capacity building efforts in the domain of drug control;
8.1.6. To increase the number of joint trainings and seminars on new emerging trends of illicit drug trafficking, especially on the issue of recruitment and use of mules;
8.1.7. To strengthen efforts in the areas of enforcement against illicit drugs trafficking within territorial waters.
8.2. Terrorism
8.2.1. To reinforce and further forge cooperation amongst member countries in preventing and suppressing terrorist activities;
8.2.2. To continue developing capabilities amongst all member countries through focused training, sharing of experiences and best practices;
8.2.3. To strengthen and implement strategies for the detection, deterrence, rehabilitation, de-radicalisation and community engagement in tackling terrorism in ASEAN countries;
8.2.4. To proactively continue to enhance timely and accurate exchange of information on terrorists, terrorist organisations, their modus operandi and activities;
8.2.5. To strengthen the commitment amongst member countries in the timely provision of assistance including tracing, freezing and confiscating assets related to financing of terrorism, in accordance with the laws of each respective country;
8.2.6. To note the importance of ASEANAPOL member countries support and assistance in the event of dealing with the aftermath of terrorists attacks;
8.2.7. To note the report of the 1st Working Group Meeting on ASEANAPOL Communication and Coordination Protocol for Crisis Management held in Singapore in March 2008;
8.2.8. To direct the Working Group to continue and complete its deliberation on the protocol with view to engage and enhance cooperation with INTERPOL through coherent channel of coordination and communication to strengthen the support and assistance needed from ASEANAPOL member countries.
8.3. Arms Smuggling
8.3.1. To encourage member countries commitment to adhere to the Protocol Against The Illicit Manufacturing Of And Trafficking In Firearms, Their Parts And Components And Ammunition, supplementary to the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime;
8.3.2. To enhance preventive measures in the illicit importation and exportation of firearms, ammunition, explosives and Weapons of Mass Destruction, such as Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) weapons and dual use materials, particularly at the borders, in accordance with the laws of each respective country;
8.3.3. To further strengthen the commitment to timely and accurate exchange of information on matters relating to syndicated firearms smuggling amongst member countries;
8.3.4. To continue disseminating to member countries the updated list of contact persons.
8.4. Human Trafficking
8.4.1. To strengthen cooperation in combating human trafficking and provide effective protection and support services to victims of human trafficking;
8.4.2. To enhance the timely and accurate exchange of information amongst member countries in combating human trafficking;
8.4.3. To proactively share experiences, best practices and training amongst member countries in combating human trafficking;
8.4.4. To continue encouraging member countries to enact national legislation against human trafficking;
8.4.5. To encourage adherence to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime.
8.5. Maritime Fraud
8.5.1. To foster closer coordination, collaboration and cooperation in law enforcement efforts in obtaining information for the purpose of verification and authentication of documents relevant to international trade in maritime fraud prevention and investigation;
8.5.2. To enhance timely and accurate intelligence sharing efforts through the e-ADS platform to facilitate the sharing of information regarding the commission of maritime fraud;
8.5.3. To encourage sharing of experiences and best practices on maritime fraud investigations and enhance the development of technical knowledge in areas covering international trade among member countries;
8.5.4. To encourage joint coordinated operations with respective common border Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) agencies.
8.6. Commercial Crime, Bank Offences and Credit Card Fraud
8.6.1. To continue enhancing information exchange to determine emerging trends, threats, challenges and modus operandi of commercial crimes in member countries;
8.6.2. To continue enhancing the timely exchange of information on emerging criminal profiles, identities and methodologies;
8.6.3. To continue enhancing the capabilities of member countries through capacity-building measures such as training, seminars, symposiums, consultations and sharing of best practices;
8.6.4. To further develop effective strategic alliance to enhance partnership with the public and stakeholders in the business and financial community in the area of commercial crime prevention;
8.6.5. To continue leveraging on the cooperation and expertise of industry stakeholders in commercial crime prevention initiatives;
8.6.6. To continue enhancing the outreach avenues to the public, the business and financial community in order to educate and generate awareness on preventive measures against commercial crime.
8.7. Cyber Crime
8.7.1 To continue encouraging member countries to review the need for a baseline set of cyber crime laws and to provide for the enactment of such laws, where necessary;
8.7.2 To continue disseminating information relating to cyber crime including sharing of experiences and expertise in computer forensics amongst member countries;
8.7.3 To provide support, assistance and expertise to member countries in setting up computer forensic laboratories, including tools and methodologies used in conducting computer forensic examinations;
8.7.4 To encourage member countries with expertise in cyber crime investigation and computer forensics to continue offering training opportunities for other member countries to participate in the training.
8.8. Fraudulent Travel Documents
8.8.1. To continue sharing information on emerging trends and modus operandi regarding the procurement and usage of fraudulent travel documents;
8.8.2. To further enhance capacity building through sharing of best practices and expertise in the investigation of fraudulent travel documents;
8.8.3. To proactively enhance the timely exchange of information on fraudulent travel documents;
8.8.4. To encourage the improvement of stringent measures to ensure the integrity and security of travel documents.
8.9. Transnational Fraud
8.9.1. To update list of contact persons to facilitate the enhancement on the exchange of information and operational assistance on transnational fraud;
8.9.2. To continue encouraging member countries to develop better understanding on the legal procedures and enforcement measures against transnational fraud of the respective countries;
8.9.3. To continue sharing and exchanging timely and accurate information on emerging transnational fraud; and
8.9.4. To continue strengthening capacity building in combating transnational fraud through the sharing of best practices, experiences and expertise of member countries.
8.10. Progress on Establishment of a Permanent ASEANAPOL Secretariat
8.10.1. To note and accept the progress report of the 3rd Working Group Meeting held in Singapore from 7th to 11th January 2008;
8.10.2. To continuously support and note the importance of establishing a permanent ASEANAPOL Secretariat to enable ASEANAPOL to become a more coherent regional police grouping;
8.10.3. To note that Malaysia shall become the seat of the ASEANAPOL secretariat’s office;
8.10.4. To note that the 4th Working Group meeting will be held in Brunei on or before August 2008;
8.11. Progress on Electronic-ASEANAPOL Database System (e-ADS)
8.11.1. To note and accept the progress report of the Chairman of the 19th ASEANAPOL Database System Technical Committee (ADSTC) Meeting held in Brunei from 23rd to 26th March 2008;
8.11.2. To enhance the utilization of e-ADS and to avoid duplication in data entry, member countries are urged to formulate their respective standard operation procedures (S.O.P) to leverage on the system interface implemented for Interpol System and e-ADS;
8.11.3. To note and endorse the collaboration between the e- ADS and INTERPOL on the prospect of implementing the I-link project as part of e-ADS’s future enhancement;
8.11.4. To continue encouraging member countries encountering slow performance of e-ADS to upgrade their local communication line to a wider local network bandwidth;
8.11.5. To accept the invitation of INTERPOL to attend the 2nd e-ADS / INTERPOL I-link Working Group meeting co-hosted with Royal Malaysia Police to be held from 14th to 18th July 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
8.11.6. To endorse ADSTC agreement to hold the next training of trainers for e-ADS enhancements and evaluation of the I-link Prototype back-to-back with the 2nd e-ADS / INTERPOL I-link Working Group meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
8.11.7. To encourage the extension of the e-ADS to other law enforcement agencies in their respective countries in order to utilise the capabilities of the system as a potent investigative tool;
8.11.8. To note that the 20th ADSTC Meeting will be held in Lao PDR from 28th – 30th October 2008.
8.12. Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters
8.12.1. To strongly encourage governments of member countries to ratify the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters amongst ASEAN Member Countries;
8.12.2. To continue strengthening existing cooperation by leveraging on the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters amongst ASEAN Member Countries;
8.12.3. To continue the current good practices among member countries of providing assistance to police investigators conducting investigations amongst member countries within the parameters of their national laws;
8.12.4. To further encourage the development of bilateral or multilateral arrangements amongst member countries in combating transnational crimes, which would serve to complement MLAT in Criminal Matters amongst ASEAN Member Countries;
8.12.5. To acknowledge the benefits of assigning police liaison officers in other member countries in facilitating mutual assistance amongst law enforcement agencies in the member countries;
8.12.6. To continue encouraging remaining member countries that have not assigned police liaison officers to do so, where practical, to facilitate mutual assistance;
8.12.7. To continue updating names of contact persons in member countries for the purpose of liaising and the timely exchange of information.
8.13. Exchange of Personnel and Training Programmes amongst ASEAN Police Forces
8.13.1. To note the active and encouraging level of participation in training programmes amongst member countries;
8.13.2. To note the potentials and benefits and to encourage the exchange of personnel amongst member countries in various fields of policing;
8.13.3. To encourage the sharing of member countries training calendars and programmes through e-ADS portal in order to enhance participation by member countries;
8.13.4. To continue developing joint training programmes amongst member countries to enhance regional capabilities in police professionalism;
8.13.5. To continue encouraging member countries to contribute a list of experts and trainers with acknowledged expertise on transnational crimes, particularly in the areas of terrorism and cyber crime, through e-ADS portal;
8.13.6. To note that the Royal Brunei Police Force, as the host of the 28th ASEANAPOL Conference, will conduct the next Joint ASEAN Senior Police Officers’ Course (JASPOC) in early 2009 which will incorporate subject matters relating to mutual assistance in criminal matters amongst member countries;
8.13.7. To acknowledge the generous contributions made by ASEANAPOL dialogue partners in the area of training.
9. The Conference agreed that the member country hosting the ASEANAPOL Conference shall continue representing that body in the event of an invitation to participate in an international forum with the approval of the government of the host country.
10. The Conference collectively agreed that the annual meeting has proven to be an essential and effective mechanism to promote regional cooperation amongst the ASEAN police forces.
11. The delegations attending the Conference expressed their sincere appreciation to the Royal Brunei Police Force and the Government of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam for their warm hospitality and excellent organisation, which contributed to the success of the 28th ASEANAPOL Conference.
Formulated in Brunei Darussalam, on 28th May 2008, signed by:
________________________________
PEHIN DATU KERMA SETIA CP DATO
PADUKA SERI ZAINUDDIN BIN JALANI
Commissioner of Police
Royal Brunei Police Force
Brunei Darussalam
________________________________
POL. GENERAL HOK LUNDY
Commissioner-General
Cambodian National Police
Kingdom of Cambodia
_______________________________
COMM. GENERAL DRS R MAKBUL PADMANAGARA
Deputy Chief of Indonesian National Police
Republic of Indonesia
___________________________________
POL. COL. DR. SOMVANG THAMMASITH
Deputy Director General
General Department of Police
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
________________________________
CP DATO’ KOH HONG SUN
For Inspector-General of Police
Royal Malaysia Police
Malaysia
________________________________
POL. BRIGADIER GENERAL ZAW WIN
Deputy Chief of Myanmar Police Force
Union of Myanmar
___________________________________________
POL. DIRECTOR GENERAL AVELINO I RAZON JR.
Chief of Philippine National Police
Republic of the Philippines
________________________________
SAC SOH WAI WAH
For Commissioner of Police
Singapore Police Force
Republic of Singapore
______________________________
POL. GENERAL DATO’ PRUNG BOONPADUNG
Deputy Commissioner General
Royal Thai Police
Kingdom of Thailand
________________________________
POL. MAJOR GENERAL PHAM QUY NGO
Director General
Police General Department
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
