The Riau Islands Police are enhancing cooperation with law enforcement agencies in Singapore and Malaysia to better secure the province’s border regions, which are strategically located along the Malacca Strait and vulnerable to cross-border crimes such as human trafficking and drug smuggling. Police Chief Insp. Gen. Asep Safrudin stated that this transnational cooperation will improve information sharing, legal approaches, and enforcement actions, positioning the Riau Islands Police as the frontline force in maintaining border security. He emphasized the importance of diplomatic and operational synergy in tackling threats that span across national boundaries, underlining the need for stronger ties with neighboring countries’ security forces.
A significant part of this collaboration includes participation in the Indonesia Foreign Law Enforcement Community (IFLEC) forum, where representatives from law enforcement bodies in countries such as Australia, Canada, Singapore, and the United States came together to discuss strategies and build capacity. The forum helped bolster the Riau Islands’ strategic role by providing training on digital investigation and analytical methods. Additionally, Asep highlighted the recognition received from the Singapore Maritime Security (MARSEC) Command for the Riau Islands Police’s success in solving piracy cases in the Malacca Strait, further strengthening bilateral relations and shared commitment to regional maritime security.
