Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto recently concluded a significant visit to Thailand, where a key agenda item was strengthening cooperation in combating transnational crime. His meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra underscored a mutual commitment to addressing growing cross-border criminal activities, which pose a significant threat to regional stability and prosperity.
The discussions between President Prabowo and Prime Minister Paetongtarn focused heavily on intensifying security cooperation. Both leaders acknowledged the escalating challenges posed by various forms of transnational Combating Crime, including online fraud networks, human trafficking, and the illicit drug trade. These issues require a concerted and collaborative regional effort to effectively counter them.
President Prabowo emphasized the urgency of tackling online fraud, which has victimized many citizens across Southeast Asia. He expressed appreciation for Thailand’s firm actions in dealing with these crimes, particularly in assisting with the repatriation of Indonesian citizens who had fallen victim to such schemes. This highlights the practical steps taken in bilateral cooperation.
Beyond online scams, human trafficking was another critical area of discussion. Both leaders recognized the heinous nature of this crime and pledged to enhance efforts to dismantle trafficking networks. This commitment extends to better intelligence sharing, coordinated law enforcement operations, and providing assistance to victims across borders.
The fight against narcotics trafficking also featured prominently. Indonesia and Thailand, both strategically located in drug trafficking routes, reaffirmed their dedication to disrupting supply chains and prosecuting offenders. Cooperation in this area is vital to protect the youth and communities from the devastating effects of illegal drugs.
To bolster these efforts, President Prabowo and Prime Minister Paetongtarn agreed to increase security cooperation through closer visits and dialogues between leaders and relevant institutions. They also discussed enhancing maritime security collaboration, strengthening counter-terrorism initiatives, and fostering cybersecurity cooperation.
The leaders additionally explored increasing joint military exercises and strengthening defense industry partnerships, maximizing platforms like the High-Level Committee and the Annual Security Dialogue. This comprehensive approach aims to build a robust security framework capable of addressing complex and evolving criminal threats.