Japan and UNODC contributes saliva test kit, surgical isolation suits to Prison Dept

This article is taken from The Malaysian Reserve here

JAPAN contributes over 20,000 units of Covid-19 antigen self-test kit (saliva) and 5,000 units of surgical isolation coverall suit with boot cover to the Malaysian Prison Department today.

The items were handed over to the Malaysian Prison Department, through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Japanese embassy said in a statement.

The Covid-19 prevention equipment was funded by the Japanese government and the handover ceremony was witnessed by Japan’s ambassador to Malaysia, Takahashi Katsuhiko.

Takahashi said this handover is a part of a contribution from Japan to UNODC amounting US$450,000 for its support in the field of strengthening prison systems by addressing overcrowding conditions.

He said this was also to enhance Covid-19 responses in prisons in Southeast Asia, amounting to US$6.4 million in total with other areas of cooperation in Southeast Asia through UNODC in 2021.

“This handover is a token of the longstanding friendship and cooperation among Japan, Malaysia and UNODC,” he said in a statement.

Adding further, Takahashi said Japan has continuously contributed to UNODC’s activities to support and assist various countries including Southeast Asian countries.

He also emphasised that overcrowding in prisons has been a key challenge for many years in Malaysia, adding that this has resulted in the emergence of Covid-19 clusters in the prisons thus affecting a number of prison inmates and staff.

“Therefore, we recognise the importance of preventing Covid-19 infections inside Malaysian prisons.

“I sincerely hope that the equipment handed over today will contribute to solving this problem,” he noted.

Takahashi also said due to the strong ties between Japan and Malaysia, Japan has supported various counter measures implemented by the Malaysian government against the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said for example, Japan has donated approximately one million doses of AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccines to Malaysia in July last year to boost the country’s vaccination rate.

In addition to the bilateral assistance, Japan has also provided support to Malaysia via international organisations such as the UNODC.

“We wish to further support and cooperate with Malaysia to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, which is still very much a threat to the world after more than two years since the beginning of the pandemic.

“Today’s handover of the Covid-19 prevention equipment to Malaysia signals a new level of cooperation between Japan and the criminal and judicial authorities of Malaysia including the prison department,” he said.

According to Takahashi, Japan has so far conducted training courses on criminal and judicial matters in the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI), which is a United Nation (UN) regional institute established in Japan by agreement between the UN and the Japanese government.

He added that Japan has welcomed more than 180 trainees from Malaysia for training at the institute so far.

“Additionally, we have strengthened our relationship via mutual visits of senior officials to each country.

“We hope to continue our cooperation in criminal and judicial matters with the relevant Malaysian agencies including the Prison Department going forward,” he noted.

Takahashi also expressed that UNODC is one of Japan’s most important partners in countering terrorism and transnational organised crimes and the Japanese government has supported Southeast Asian countries through UNODC, not only on issues related to prisons but also in other areas such as criminal and judicial matters, preventing and countering drug offenses, terrorism and violent extremism as well as maritime law enforcement.

He added that Japan is willing to continue contributing and assisting countries in the region in various areas such as health, security and maritime safety, including contributions via UNODC and other international organisations.

Takahashi also acknowledged that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Malaysia diplomatic relations and the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy.

Therefore, he hoped that the relationship between Japan and Malaysia would continue to develop further through various joint efforts to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic.