Transnational security issues affecting the region and the globe including terrorism, cybersecurity and the protection of critical information infrastructure (CII) were discussed at the 4th Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Security (SRM) in Melbourne, Australia yesterday.
Leading Brunei’s delegation at the meeting was Deputy Minister (Security and Law) at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dato Seri Paduka Haji Sufian bin Haji Sabtu as Deputy Chairman of the National Security Committee. He was accompanied by officers from the PMO and Internal Security Department.
The meeting was co-chaired by Australian Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cyber Security Clair O’Neill and Indonesian Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mohammad Mahfud MD.
Ministers and senior officials from New Zealand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand were also in attendance.
Dato Seri Paduka Haji Sufian reiterated the Sultanate’s commitment in supporting international efforts to counter terrorism which remains as one of the pertinent threats to the security and stability of this region.
The deputy minister said Brunei pays close attention to the propagation of extremist teachings by individuals who have a deviant understanding on the concept of ‘jihad’. He said the Sultanate’s security agencies will not hesitate to take immediate action against such individuals, adding that the government will continue to engage in a whole-of-nation and whole-of-government effort to protect the Bruneian people from the threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
Dato Seri Paduka Haji Sufian also spoke about cybersecurity and thanked the Australian and Singaporean governments for their cooperation on the issue of cybercrime, the protection of CII and sharing their past experiences on dealing with security issues that involve 5G networks.
The 4th SRM also discussed the outcomes of the 2nd Senior Officials Counter-Terrorism Policy Forum held on December 19-20, 2022 as well as the progress made in finalising the High-Level Principles for the Protection of Children in Relation to Terrorism and Violent Extremism in the Sub-Region. The meeting was also briefed about the initiatives under the Counter Terrorism Information Facility (CTIF).
The deputy minister also took the opportunity to have a bilateral meeting with O’Neill to discuss opportunities for cooperation between the Sultanate and Australia in cybersecurity, maritime enforcement and border security.
Dato Seri Paduka Haji Sufian also held a courtesy call with Singaporean Minister of State for Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Development Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim. The deputy minister expressed his gratitude for the close cooperation between Brunei and Singapore in addressing security issues that are of mutual concern to both countries including terrorism and extremism, drugs-related matters and cybersecurity.
