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# 08-143
“Managing Borders in the Maritime Domain”
“Managing Borders in the Maritime Domain” was the focus of a recent
conference co-hosted by the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA)
and the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. Held June 9-11 in
Kuala Lumpur, the conference brought together more than 50
international experts from 11 nations to look at how they can better
work together.
The focus of seminar discussions was better understanding of how
various levels of inter-agency officials in the governments of South
East and South Asia nations coordinate and share useful information
to delineate and control borders, resolve fishing and disputed
resource issues, and correspondingly deal with all forms of
trafficking challenges, including human, drug, weapons, and animals,
as well as terrorist transits and disease control. Break-out group
discussions specifically addressed management techniques,
procedures, technology and organizations related to efforts
conducted by governments and non-governmental organizations
throughout the region.
Opening ceremonies included a keynote address by Yang Berhormat Dato’
Haji Hasan Bin Malek, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s
Department. He stated that “it is essential that states in the
region cooperate, identify and resolve weaknesses in their
enforcement mechanisms, including all elements of ambiguities, and
lacunae of existing international and domestic laws. By doing so,
they will ensure that no criminals are able to escape the hands of
the law, and this will in turn pose a sufficient deterrence to
would-be offenders. After all, prevention is still the best form of
effective law enforcement.”
Additional opening remarks were made by MMEA Director General and
APCSS alumni (SEC05-2) Admiral Dato’ Mohd Amdan bin Kurish
(SEC05-2), and; Mr. David Shear Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S.
Embassy Kuala Lampur. Other keynote speakers included: Rear Admiral
Dato’ Noor Aziz bin Yunan, Deputy Director General (Operations),
MMEA; Dr. Lee Endress, Dean, College of Security Studies, APCSS; Mr.
Shyamansunder Tekawani, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
and Ms. Lee Yin Mui, Assistant Director of Research, ReCAAP.
According to APCSS professor retired U.S. Navy Captain Carleton
Cramer, the conference was successful in providing participants a
better understanding of various national perspectives on border
control challenges in the maritime domain. Participants also gained
an appreciation for shared maritime border control, where
appropriate and necessary.
This event was a follow-on multinational conference to the February
2007 land-border control conference held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
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The
APCSS addresses regional and global security issues, inviting military and
civilian representatives of the United States and 45 Asia-Pacific nations to
its comprehensive program of courses and conferences, both in Hawaii and
throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The Center supports the U.S. Pacific
Command’s objective of developing professional and personal ties among
national security establishments throughout the region. APCSS focuses on
a multilateral and multi-dimensional approach to defining and addressing
regional security issues and concerns. The most beneficial result is
building relationships of trust and confidence among future leaders and
decision-makers within the region.
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