Malaysia Leads ASEAN SOMTC Working Group On Money Laundering 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- ASEAN has adopted the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) Working Group on Money Laundering, further strengthening regional cooperation in combating money laundering.

In a statement, the Home Ministry (KDN) said the TOR was adopted at the Preparatory SOMTC for the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and Related Meetings held in Makati, the Philippines, on Oct 19.

The Malaysian delegation to the preparatory meeting was led by KDN secretary-general Dr Awang Alik Jeman.

The ministry said Malaysia continues to serve as the Voluntary Lead Shepherd for the SOMTC Working Group on Money Laundering, which was established at the 19th AMMTC in Melaka in September 2025.

Malaysia also hosted the inaugural meeting of the Working Group in Kuala Lumpur on April 21, 2026.

“The adoption of the TOR provides a framework to guide the Working Group in strengthening regional cooperation and coordinating efforts to combat money laundering,” the statement said.

The preparatory meeting also coordinated ASEAN's positions and finalised substantive preparations for the ministerial meetings scheduled for Oct 20 and 21.

Awang Alik also co-chaired the Preparatory SOMTC Plus China for the 13th AMMTC Plus China Consultation, in line with Malaysia's role as ASEAN Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China cooperation in combating transnational crime.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is leading the Malaysian delegation to the 20th AMMTC and its Related Meetings, including consultations with ASEAN's dialogue partners.

Malaysia will also co-chair the 13th AMMTC Plus China Consultation, which will focus on strengthening ASEAN-China cooperation in addressing transnational crime threats.

-- BERNAMA