6 October 2013
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the safety and security of Canadians and their interests abroad, helping partners address the threats of terrorism and organized crime, and protecting the integrity of Canada’s borders and immigration system.
To this end, on October 6, 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada and Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on security cooperation that will establish a framework to guide and facilitate future security capacity-building programming between the two countries.
Signed by Foreign Affairs Ministers John Baird and Anifah Aman, the MOU lays the foundation for Canada and Malaysia to reinforce and expand their cooperation on countering international crime and terrorism. The two countries will continue to work together to enhance training partnerships among security experts on a variety of threats and challenges in Southeast Asia and beyond, including human smuggling and counter-terrorism. This MOU, which takes effect immediately, will deepen the excellent and multi-faceted relationship that our countries enjoy.
During his visit, Prime Minister Harper also announced more than $2 million in Canadian support for four projects that will help develop Malaysia’s capacity to combat the threats of human smuggling and counter terrorism in Malaysia and across the region. Provided through the Government of Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP) and the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program (CTCBP), the following projects will strengthen front line institutional capacity in Malaysia:
Enhancing the Capacity of Malaysian Law Enforcement to Counter Human Smuggling Operations through the Provision of Training and Related Equipment
Implementing Partner: RCMP and the Canadian Commercial Corporation
Timeframe: September 2013 to March 2014
Cost: $1,000,000
Source of funding: Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP)
This project will enhance the capacity of Malaysian law enforcement to identify, prevent and/or intercept human smuggling vessels destined for Canada through the provision of equipment and associated training. This includes the contribution of two Rigid Hull Fender Boats to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, valued at $700,000.
Enhancing Capacities of Law Enforcement Agencies in Malaysia to Combat Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons – Phase II
Implementing Partner: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Timeframe: September 2013 to March 2015
Cost: $360,000
Source of funding: Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP)
Building on previous Canadian-funded efforts to strengthen front line institutional capacity, this project will deliver travel document examination training to border officials to prevent migrant smuggling and related crimes, such as human trafficking. It will also enhance the ability of Malaysian law enforcement to conduct successful investigative interviewing and evidence gathering to build criminal cases against suspected migrant smugglers and human traffickers. Finally, it will increase institutional understanding of the financial aspects of efforts to fight organized crime among law enforcement officers and other relevant actors.
RCMP Training to Enhance the Capacity of Malaysia’s Law Enforcement to Prevent Human Smuggling – Phase II
Implementing Partner: RCMP
Timeframe: October 2013 to March 2015
Cost: $335,662
Source of funding: Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP)
Building on previous Canadian-funded efforts, RCMP training courses will be delivered to 128 Malaysian law enforcement officers on topics including investigative and interview techniques. This project is intended to enhance the capacity of the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and the Malaysian Immigration Department to conduct more successful investigations and operations aimed at targeting persons and groups involved in human smuggling.
Specialized Training of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Implementing Partner: INTERPOL
Timeframe: November 2013 to May 2014
Cost: $610,000
Source of funding: Canada’s Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program (CTCBP)
This project will train the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to conduct special boat operations and maritime interdiction, carry-out investigations and collect intelligence on criminal and terrorist networks, and develop an understanding of international maritime regulations to ensure compliance in maritime operations.
Since 2011, Canada has invested $24.6 million to counter human smuggling, terrorist activity, and the threat posed by weapons and materials of mass destruction. This includes contributions of more than $1.3 million in equipment and training to build the capacity of Malaysian law enforcement and frontline immigration and border officers to detect and prevent human smuggling vessels destined for Canada. Canada has also provided training for potential chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive incidents to more than 1000 Malaysian first responders since 2006.
Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP)
Launched by Prime Minister Harper in 2009 and managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP) provides training, equipment, and technical and legal assistance to enhance the capacity of countries to prevent and respond to threats posed by transnational criminal activity, and how to address these threats before they reach Canada’s borders. The support announced today through the ACCBP builds on previous and ongoing efforts to support security and stability in the region.
Canada’s Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program (CTCBP)
Created in 2005, and managed by DFATD, Canada’s CTCBP provides training, equipment, and technical and legal assistance to help other states prevent and respond to global terrorist activity. The program’s priority areas include: law enforcement, military and intelligence cooperation; border and transportation security; and legislative assistance. The funding announced today through the CTCBP builds on previous and ongoing efforts to support security and stability in the region.
