THINKING
LOCAL, ACTING GLOBAL
FBI Opens Office in Malaysia
07/07/04
"In
the future, the FBI will have Legal Attaché offices in every country with
a major impact on the United States."
That's
Director Mueller's outspoken plan, and it is well on its way to becoming reality.
Why?
"No
nation, or agency can fight crime and terrorism alone. Since 9/11 our 48 international
offices have become increasingly important to our overall operations. What began
strictly as a liaison, now assists our counterparts overseas on joint investigations,
intelligence-sharing, and the development of new methods to prevent attacks."
Partnering
with the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP).
In
fact, we've been partnering with the RMP for years. Cases solved and critical
information shared--but all at a distance, working from our Legal Attaché
Office in Singapore.
In
fact, it is thanks to the assistance of the Royal Malaysian Police that whole
pieces of today's terrorism puzzle have been been properly placed, not only on
the 9/11 hijackers and the Al Qaida network, but also on cases involving the Jemmah
Islamia and the Abu Sayyaff Group. Plus, thanks to our mutual efforts, many many
criminal cases in both our countries have been resolved and justice served.
Now,
since May 18, we are on the ground in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur. Our Supervisory
Special Agent/Legal Attaché Officer is located in the U.S. Embassy there
and is a member of its diplomatic staff.
Day
to day activities?
Many
and diverse. Working with colleagues in the Royal Malaysian Police on specific
cases, everything from terrorism to fugitives, cyber to kidnappings. Setting up
training on subjects like forensic investigations. Forging new operational partnerships
between our agencies--counterterrorism experts talking to counterterrorism experts;
laboratory specialists talking to their counterparts. And that's just the tip
of the iceberg.
How
do you contact the Legat in Kuala Lumpur? Call the U.S. Embassy at 011-60-3-248-9011
or call the office direct at 011-60-3-2168-4855.
And
stay tuned for future Legal Attaché openings.
Links:
FBI Legats | The
Royal Malaysian Police
