11 SEPTEMBER 2025 (THURSDAY) | 8:30 PM AT ENCORE MELAKA 

BISMILAHIRAHMANIRAHIM ALHAMDULILLAHI RABBIL ‘ALAMIN, WASSOLAATU WASSALAAMU ‘ALA ASYRAFIL AMBIYAAI WAL MURSALIIN, WA’ALA AALIHI WA SOHBIHI AJMA’IIN. ALLAHUMMA SOLLI A’LA SAYYIDINA MUHAMMAD, WA’ALA ALI SAYYIDINA MUHAMMAD. 

Assalamualaikum Warrahmatullahi Wabaraktuh. A very good evening to all of you, Salam Melakaku Maju Jaya, Rakyat Bahagia, Menggamit Dunia, Bijak Laksana Tuah, Berani Laksana Jebat and Salam Malaysia MADANI.

Thank you, Master of Ceremony;

(SALUTATION ON ROSTRUM)

INTRODUCTION

Alhamdulillah, it is truly an honour and a privilege to stand before you this evening, in the historic city of Melaka, as we gather for the Gala Dinner in conjunction with the 19TH Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and Its Related Meetings.

On behalf of the Melaka State Government, allow me to convey a warmest welcome to all distinguished delegates; Welcome to Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage City!

I also wish to express my gratitude for the trust placed in our state to host this prestigious event. It is indeed an honour that we uphold with immense pride.

In Melaka, it is our custom to begin a speech with a traditional Malay verse or we call it as “PANTUN MELAYU”;

(Pantun)
Padi pulut beras segantang,
Intan setahil emas sekati;
Dari jauh tuan puan datang,
Kami di Melaka sentiasa menanti. 

Kalau tuan tanam lengkuas,
Jangan ditanam sambil berdiri,
Datang Melaka sekali tak puas,
Mesti datang berkali-kali. 

Excellencies, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen;

ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING ON TRANSNATIONAL CRIME (AMMTC) 

Melaka has long been a crossroads of cultures, traditions and histories, once thriving as a centre of maritime trade in Southeast Asia.

Today, our city is privileged to host this distinguished gathering, reflecting our ongoing commitment to regional collaboration and the advancement of shared security objectives.

Since its establishment in 1997, AMMTC has served as more than a formal meeting; it is a platform to build mutual understanding, strengthen trust and foster collaboration among member in addressing complex transnational crimes.

Guided by the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” this year’s meeting focuses on critical issues such as human trafficking, cybercrime, terrorism and money laundering. 

These crimes pose serious threats to communities and regional stability, underscoring the urgent need for stronger cooperation, shared responsibility and collective action among ASEAN member states. 

Ladies and gentlemen;

MELAKA’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND SAFETY OUTLOOK 

Over the past five years, Malaysia has experienced a consistent decline in crime rates. Melaka, in particular, has recorded the third-lowest Crime Index in the country, standing at 2.80 percent as of August 2025. 

This achievement is due to the close cooperation and efficiency of the Royal Malaysia Police and other enforcement agencies. As a result, the total number of criminal cases in Melaka fell from 1,692 in 2024 to 1,658 in 2025. 

However, cybercrime continues to pose a serious threat. Melaka recorded 1,000 cybercrime cases so far, prompting the State Government to adopt proactive measures in collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and other relevant bodies to address and curb these digital threats. 

This focus on safety has had a positive effect on our economy and tourism sector. In 2024, Melaka attracted RM8.18 billion in investments, exceeding our target of RM5 billion. At the same time, we welcomed over 15 million visitors, generating RM12.68 billion in tourism receipts. 

As of July 2025, we have already recorded 8.89 million tourist arrivals, contributing RM4.48 billion to our local economy. These figures reflect the trust and confidence of both investors and visitors in Melaka as a safe, vibrant, and welcoming destination. 

During the Visit Melaka Year 2024, I was informed by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) that our main tourist hotspots maintained a zero-crime record, with no reported cases of theft, pickpocketing, snatch theft, or related incidents. This reinforces Melaka’s reputation as a secure location for international and domestic visitors alike.  

To sustain this environment of peace and security, Melaka has implemented comprehensive crime prevention strategies, blending law enforcement, community engagement, and innovative technologies, including: 

▪ 500 CCTV units installed in public areas and smart zones

▪ 3 district police headquarters (IPDs) and 29 police stations

▪ Community Policing Programmes actively running in residential areas; and
 
▪ Tourism Security Units operating in key tourist zones such as Jonker Walk, A’Famosa, and Dataran Pahlawan

We are also embracing digital innovation to enhance public safety. Through the KAMPUNG DIGITAL initiative, Melaka became the first state in Malaysia to implement QR-coded addresses across 618 traditional villages, improving emergency response, logistics coordination, and enabling data-driven policing. 

In healthcare, the Paramedic Community (PARAKOM) rapid-response programme, powered by 1,400 trained volunteers, has proven highly effective saving nearly 300 lives in rural and tourist areas through faster emergency interventions.  

As a growing maritime and logistics hub, Melaka is playing a pivotal role in enhancing trade and regional security. Through strategic developments such as the Tanjung Bruas Port and Melaka Gateway, we are strengthening coastal surveillance and maritime cooperation in the region. 

Collectively, these efforts reflect Melaka’s integrated approach to development and safety where economic growth, innovation, and public security go hand-in-hand. This aligns with ASEAN’s vision for a safe, prosperous, and resilient region. 

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

CLOSING REMARKS 

Once again, on behalf of the Melaka State Government, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all distinguished guests for your presence, engagement and support throughout this important meeting. 

I hope this gathering has strengthened our networks, fostered mutual understanding and paved the way for greater cooperation among ASEAN member states in combating transnational crime. 

Before I conclude, it is my great pleasure to warmly invite all of you to World Tourism Day (WTD) 2025 and the World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2025, which will be held in Melaka from 27th to 29th September 2025. We look forward to welcoming you once again to our historic city to celebrate this momentous occasion. 

With that, I would like to end my speech with another traditional Malay verse: 

(PANTUN)
Bunga Melati harum mewangi,
Mekar berkembang di tepi laman;
Negara ASEAN bersatu sepenuh hati,
Demi kesejahteraan sepanjang zaman. 

Thank you.  

SOURCE: Ministry of Home Affairs

--BERNAMA