Riau Provincial Police Builds Strategic Collaboration with Malaysian Police to Address Narcotics to Terrorism
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PEKANBARU - Riau Provincial Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan undertook a series of strategic working visits to Malaysia to bolster collaboration in tackling cross-border crimes, particularly narcotics, terrorism, and other transnational offences involving the Indonesia-Malaysia border areas.
During the agenda, which took place from 6 to 8 April 2026, the Riau Police Chief met directly with several elite units of the Royal Malaysia Police, ranging from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN), Special Branch E3, the counter-terrorism unit E8, to the Melaka Police Chief.
The Riau Police Chief was accompanied by several key officials from the Riau Provincial Police, including the Head of Criminal Investigation Directorate Commissioner Pol Hasyim Risahondua, the Head of Intelligence and Security Directorate Commissioner Wimboko, the Head of Special Criminal Investigation Directorate Commissioner Ade Kuncoro Ridwan, the Head of Narcotics Directorate Commissioner Putu Yudha Prawira, and the Head of Human Resources Commissioner Boy J. Situmorang. Also present were Brigadier General Tubagus Ami Prindani from Polri’s Densus 88 AT and Commissioner Sunadi as the Head of the Riau Task Force.
The first meeting was held with Malaysia’s JSJN, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Mat Zani Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali along with his team, attended by Senior Assistant Commissioner Jasmirol Jamaluddin, Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Afzanizam Yahaya, Assistant Commissioner Hairy Ramlan, Superintendent Saravanan, and Assistant Superintendent Suresh Elumalai. The discussion covered strengthening cooperation in handling narcotics offences, including the exchange of intelligence information and cross-border telephone number analysis.
“This visit is intended to strengthen concrete collaboration, particularly in addressing the cross-border narcotics trade. We aim to build a faster, more precise, and real-time cooperation system between Indonesia and Malaysia,” stated the Riau Police Chief.
In addition, both parties discussed the possibility of implementing hot pursuit against criminals fleeing across national borders, as part of more effective law enforcement efforts.
On the same day, the Riau Police Chief also met with Malaysia’s Special Branch E3, discussing cross-border strategic issues ranging from narcotics and terrorism to people smuggling. Illegal entry routes, including the Dumai waters area, became a joint concern for both countries. In the forum, Inspector General Herry emphasised that narcotics handling is a top priority, given that most narcotics entry routes into Riau originate from abroad.
“We need support from the Malaysian side because the nature of this crime is cross-border. Without strong cooperation, its handling will not be optimal,” he asserted.
Besides criminality issues, the discussions also covered environmental concerns, particularly forest and land fires (karhutla) that have potential cross-border impacts. The Riau Police itself has taken preventive measures through the Fire-Free Village programme and law enforcement against dozens of forest burning perpetrators.
The Police Chief even invited the Malaysian side to conduct joint aerial patrols to directly observe the area conditions and anticipate the impact of regional haze.
The series of visits was also filled with courtesies with Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador and Datuk Ing, discussing reflections on terrorism handling cooperation and strengthening deradicalisation programmes. Subsequently, the Riau Police Chief met with Malaysia’s counter-terrorism unit E8, which revealed a new phenomenon of radicalisation among young people, including through social media and online games. Both parties agreed to increase vigilance and strengthen intelligence information exchange to detect potential threats early.
“Radicalisation today is developing with new patterns targeting the younger generation. Therefore, intelligence cooperation is very important to prevent it from the outset,” he said.
The visit culminated in a meeting with Melaka Police Chief Deputy Commissioner of Police Dzulkhairi Mukhtar. In that meeting, both parties reaffirmed the importance of strengthening security cooperation, including in handling karhutla, terrorism, and other cross-border crimes. A 1996 Police Academy graduate also emphasised the historical and cultural closeness between Riau and Melaka as social capital in building closer collaboration.
“We are one Malay lineage. This courtesy is not just a meeting, but a way to unite goals in maintaining security and public order in our respective regions,” he stated.
He also reminded of the importance of joint anticipation against the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, which could increase forest fire risks and have cross-regional effects, including to Malaysia.
Through this series of meetings, the Riau Police Chief affirmed his commitment to promoting the formation of a more integrated cooperation system, from joint intelligence sharing and joint patrols to cross-border training. “We want this cooperation not to stop at meetings, but to continue as real actions in the field, to maintain regional security and protect the people of both countries,” he concluded.