ASEAN Affairs: SAC Member arrives back from Indonesia Trip

Delegation led by Member of the State Administration Council, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae arrived back in Yangon on Thursday from Indonesia. The delegation was welcomed by officers from the Yangon Region Command and officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs at Yangon International Airport.

During the trip in Indonesia, on August 21, the delegation attended the opening ceremony of the 17thASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC ) and its Related Meetings at MERUORAH Hotelin Labuan Bajo participated by 110 attendees including ministers and high-ranking officials from 10 ASEAN member countries and East Timor as well as Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN.

During the ceremony, Indonesian President Joko Widodo gave an opening speech through video clip. It was followed by the 1st Day meeting chaired by leader of the Indonesia AMMTC. Then, the ASEAN Deputy Secretary General clarified the development process of ASEAN region and explained the reports issued in the 26th meeting of the Directors General of ASEAN Immigration Department and the Consular Affairs Divisions.

Then, the leader of the AMMTC and ministers exchanged views on elimination of transnational crimes. There, the Union Minister Lt-Gen Yar Pyae pointed out that in order to deal with the transnational crime and terrorism, it’s need to have a strong ASEAN regional approach.

According to the Global Terrorism Index Report (2023), terrorist groups are beginning to use unmanned drones and it becomes a challenge for the future. He also stressed the damage and loss caused by PDF terrorists in Myanmar and elimination of cyber crime and human trafficking as well as requirements in cooperation of ASEAN region countries for better actions.

During the 17th AMMTC meeting, 3 declarations and 1 joint declaration on elimination of transnational crime within ASEAN region and 4 plans to eliminate violence, human-trafficking, cyber-crime and illegal firearm trading were discussed.

The Union Minister, after the meeting, held talks with Deputy Minister for Public Security of People’s Republic of China Mr. Xu Datong on bilateral security, online gambling elimination, information exchange for preventative measures of elimination of drugs and controlled precursor chemical and acceleration of bilateral cooperation.  

The 2nd day meeting of the 17thAMMTC continued on 22nd of August with the 13th AMMTC + 3 Consultation meeting and 10th AMMTC + China Consultation meeting and the Union Minister Lt-Gen YarPyae and Deputy Minister for Public Security of People’s Republic of China Mr. Xu Datong co-chaired the 10th AMMTC+ China Consultation meeting.

During the meeting, the Union Minister stressed the importance of cooperation on elimination of terrorists and criminals who are taking advantages on globalization and made discussion on memorandum of cooperation (2017-2023) for the unconventional security measures. The meeting also approved the joint declaration of the 10th AMMTC + China Consultation. And, the 8th AMMTC + Japan Consultation meeting and 3rd AMMTC + ROK Consultation meeting were held.