Kuala Lampur, Oct. 30 -- When Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail declared that Asean had placed cybercrime and online scams at the top of its security agenda, it marked not only a shift in priorities but also a profound recognition of a new type of threat-one that strikes at the heart of trust, sovereignty, and economic integrity.

The announcement came as Malaysia hosted the 19th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) in Melaka, where member states adopted a declaration to combat cybercrime and online scams. For Malaysia, this was not just another regional statement; it was the first building block of what should rightfully be called The Merdeka Declaration Against Cyber Scams and Crimes-a necessary star...