Italy's Border Security Becomes Model For ASEAN Community

From Mohd Razman Abdullah ROME, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- The story of Italy's success in mowing down mafia threats and implementing strict border security screenings had travelled miles away to Malaysia. So much so, it also prompted Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) to come here for a three-day visit and take a closer look on how to nip the problems of organised crimes, terrorism and migrants, in the bud. While acknowledging that those problems were similar to Malaysia and the ASEAN region, Ahmad Zahid said: "Italy's success could be adopted and adjusted to suit our way." The three-day visit was fruitful as he was given a comprehensive input by the Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano (right), as well as the country's police and immigration departments on how they tackled the problems. The information also prompted Ahmad Zahid to put his foot down in solving the problems plaguing Malaysia by strengthening the nation's cyber security for anti-terrorism, preparing on-job-training for Malaysian police and immigration officials to Italy, as well as making amendment to criminal-related laws. Ahmad Zahid also suggested that with the formation of the ASEAN Community, its member countries should have a uniformed screening system at every entry points. It is a move to strengthen border security with high-tech screening equipment in curbing transnational crimes, terrorism, migrants and human trafficking, he said. On trade, Zahid expressed Malaysia's aspiration to be the Italian products hub for the ASEAN market. Prior to his visit to Italy, Ahmad Zahid had also led Malaysian delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2015 in Malta island. At the meeting, the deputy prime minister announced that a paper on climate change had been submitted to the Cabinet as an attestation of Malaysia's commitment toward environment conservation. Malaysia has been selected to host the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2020. (photoBERNAMA) --BERNAMA