Ahmad Zahid delivered a keynote speech at the 2024 Public Safety Cooperation Forum (GPSCFL) held in Jiangsu Province, China.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid noted that both Malaysia and China are equally concerned about the rampant online and illegal gambling.
He stated that both countries are committed to combating these activities, and our nation has also proposed the establishment of a national security framework task force to strengthen legal frameworks, enhance law enforcement capabilities, and improve cross-border cooperation.
"The cooperation between Malaysia and China to curb online and illegal gambling has been effective, with the number of Chinese citizens arrested in Malaysia reduced from 1225 in 2020 to 79 in 2023."
Looking ahead, Ahmad Zahid said that INTERPOL must continue to be at the forefront of combating organized crime, especially in counter-terrorism efforts, and thus INTERPOL should invest in modern policing and advanced equipment.
He mentioned that it is necessary to strike a balance between robust security measures and respect for civil liberties, implementing a global mechanism with high-definition facial recognition and advanced CCTV technology, which can significantly improve crime prevention by reducing response times and increasing accuracy.
Speaking of Malaysia's efforts in public safety, Ahmad Zahid said that the government is currently enhancing the country's coordination system through the new generation emergency service 999 (NG999), which integrates advanced technologies such as digital maps, geolocation, and artificial intelligence to improve information sharing and streamline emergency responses.
