Saifuddin Nasution calls for stronger crime prevention, AI-driven security and international cooperation to tackle evolving transnational threats
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must move beyond a reactive approach and strengthen early detection and prevention measures to address an increasingly complex criminal landscape involving radicalisation, human trafficking, organised crime and cyber-enabled crime (CEC).
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that as crime became increasingly driven by artificial intelligence (AI), national defence must also be strengthened by harnessing the technology.
“However, the principle must be clear: AI can assist humans in making decisions, but it cannot replace human judgement.
“The rule of law remains the foundation of all preventive and enforcement efforts, supported by capable institutions, integrity in the public service, accountability and public confidence in the administration of justice,” he said.
He said this when delivering Malaysia’s National Statement at the 15th United Nations (UN) Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Saifuddin Nasution said the Home Ministry was now moving in line with the National AI Action Plan 2026–2030, which provides a comprehensive national framework for the responsible, trusted and inclusive use of AI across government, industry and society.
He said that, at the same time, technological advancements were changing the nature and scale of threats, stressing that no country could tackle borderless cybercrime on its own.
“For this reason, Malaysia continues to strengthen international cooperation, including through the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime, which it signed on Oct 25, 2025, and reaffirms its commitment to the convention’s objectives,” Saifuddin Nasution said.
He said Malaysia also supported the Abu Dhabi Declaration as a step forward in strengthening crime prevention, building more responsive justice systems, empowering trusted institutions and expanding international cooperation.
Saifuddin Nasution concluded the National Statement with Malaysia’s Pledge for Justice, which aims to strengthen a modern, people-centred rule-of-law framework by 2030.
“With a view to advancing crime prevention and criminal justice, we pledge, by 2030, to strengthen a modern, equitable and people-centred rule-of-law framework, protect vulnerable groups through victim-centred and trauma-informed approaches, and advance responsible digital innovation in national crime prevention while safeguarding our people, national sovereignty and human dignity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said he had held bilateral talks with Bahrain’s Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
He said the bilateral talks covered efforts to enhance cooperation in addressing terrorism and extremism, intelligence sharing, drug enforcement and detection, as well as border management and security to combat transnational threats.
Saifuddin Nasution said the meeting also discussed the upcoming Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which is scheduled for Oct 2 to 4 at the Sepang International Circuit.
“Malaysia is honoured to welcome Bahrain and the international motorsports community to Sepang. Hosting this prestigious event goes beyond motorsports, serving as a bridge to strengthen good relations and people-to-people ties between Malaysia and Bahrain.
“Malaysia values its partnership with Bahrain in maintaining public order and international peace. I hope the momentum can be sustained at the technical level and translated into tangible outcomes in security cooperation between the two countries,” he said.
