By Salawati Haji Yahya –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 30 OCT – The Attorney General and Public Prosecutor, Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohd Taib led the delegation of the Criminal Justice Division at the 14th China-ASEAN Public Prosecutor General Conference, which took place in Singapore yesterday.
This year’s conference, marking its 20th anniversary, has a theme Fostering Cooperation in Combating Financial Crimes emphasized the urgent need to increase cooperation between ASEAN member states and China in dealing with transnational crime threats.
The Honorable Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Nor Hashimah in his speech emphasized the importance of closer international cooperation to overcome complex financial crimes in the global world.
“Stronger partnerships with international entities and networks are essential to overcome challenges in the investigation and prosecution of financial crimes, and see this conference as an invaluable platform to share knowledge and successful strategies among prosecutors,” he added.
The Brunei delegation also attended the Attorney General’s lecture on October 28, which was delivered by the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of China, Ying Yong.
He shared China’s legal reform and success in upholding the rule of law as well as the key role played by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate in combating financial crime.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, His Excellency Edwin Tong SC, kicked off the conference by delivering a keynote address emphasizing the urgent need for international cooperation against cross-border financial crime.
Recent developments in Singapore law have been emphasized, particularly in the areas of asset recovery, money laundering prosecution and cross-border cooperation.
The conference was chaired by the Attorney General of Singapore, Lucien Wong, who emphasized the importance of sharing strategies and improving the legal framework as well as fostering cooperation to tackle the growing threat of cross-border financial crime.
The conference ended with a Joint Declaration signed by the heads of delegations from China and ASEAN member countries, to strengthen their dedication in fighting financial crime.
The declaration outlines a commitment to information sharing, professional development, public awareness and collaborative efforts with law enforcement, business and civil society to ensure a secure future.