The two-week course was coordinated by the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO), together with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), New Zealand Police (NZP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Support was also provided through the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC). 

Responding to people smuggling is a major transnational challenge for governments. High volumes of attempted journeys to cross borders outside of legal routes are undertaken every day in response to—amongst others— economic instability and hardships resulting from humanitarian and natural disasters.  

Individuals may engage with people smuggling networks for various reasons, including limited options for legal migration. The lucrative and substantive operations of smuggling networks are complex and constantly evolving—making it hard for governments to keep ahead of their activity.   

Participants discussed challenges in countering the diverse and complex smuggling routes, spanning across air, sea and land, employed by smuggling networks.  Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand are significant transit points and travel hubs, and cross-border cooperation and information sharing plays a critical part in effective responses to people smuggling operations. 

This year’s IPSIP training in Penang acknowledged Malaysia’s role as the ASEAN Voluntary Lead Shepherd for People Smuggling, and leadership in coordination of efforts to counter people smuggling in the region.  

“The Government of Malaysia is committed to leading the fight against people smuggling in the region as the ASEAN Voluntary Lead Shepherd.” noted Ezwin Mizra, Undersecretary of the National Strategic Office Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants in Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, who delivered opening remarks at the training. 

During the first week of the training, participants focused on foundational investigative techniques, ranging from document examination and interview methods to digital forensics and financial intelligence. Participants engaged in discussions with international experts from the Royal Malaysia Police, Interpol, TikTok, the Australian Border Force, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and gained from the various perspectives across government and the private sector on countering people smuggling and the role of social media in crime investigations as well as prevention. 

Social media platforms are increasingly misused by smuggling networks for recruitment and facilitation of people smuggling. Participants discussed the need for effective monitoring, with collaboration between technology companies and law enforcement seen to be crucial. Participants also discussed the use of financial platforms such as Binance, Hawala, and Undial by smuggling networks, and the need for governments to enhance financial monitoring and regulatory measures to effectively support evidence collection and law enforcement action. 

The second week provided participants with hands-on experience, as participants took part in scenario-based exercises simulating real-world investigations. These included searches and suspect interviews, warrant execution, and court case presentations. For many, it was their first time engaging in such practical exercises. The course concluded with a networking event, and participants were onboarded to the RSO Alumni Network.  

By bringing together international counterparts working in law enforcement, border and immigration and maritime agencies, participants were further supported to build cross-border networks and to share operational insights and promising practices.  

For example, participants shared examples of where active information sharing and enhanced communication practices across borders had supported timely verification of traveler documentation.  

Participants also spoke to the importance of effectively engaging communities—with local community and maritime fishing communities playing a crucial role in a recent joint operation led by Australia and Malaysia, providing eyes and ears both on the ground and at sea. 

Siti Yusnita Binti Yaacub, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Criminal Investigation Division of the Royal Malaysia Police reflected: “The IPSIP course provided invaluable hands-on experience, equipping us with cutting-edge techniques to counter people smuggling at the domestic and regional levels.” 

“Learning from international experts and engaging with peers from across the region has truly enhanced our ability to counter people smuggling activities,” said Xuan Troung Doi, Officer at the Division of Investigation Advisory, Department of Professional and Legal Affairs, Viet Nam Coast Guard. 

At the end of the course, participants completed a Return-to-Work Action Plan to set out goals for how they envisioned applying the skills and knowledge they gained back in their workplace. Follow up between the RSO and participants on these plans will be held in coming months to review progress, identify further support that may be required, and opportunities for promising practices to share onwards.