KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry has outlined a new strategic defence direction to strengthen the nation’s resilience, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said that this will cover modern security threats, ranging from pandemics and climate-related disasters to cyber attacks and extremism.
The Defence Minister said the strategies are based on the Mid-Term Review of the Defence White Paper.
"The mid-term review stresses the critical role of the Armed Forces in safeguarding national security beyond traditional warfare.
It is not just a policy document but a commitment to safeguard Malaysia’s sovereignty, security and prosperity," he said during the launch of the mid-term review on Thursday (Sept 11).
Mohamed Khaled said that in 2023, more than 26 million cyberattacks were recorded, underscoring the urgent need to boost national cyber defence capacity.
"At the same time, extremism and terrorism across ideologies based on religion, race, ethnicity and even far-right movements remain pressing concerns,” he added.
Mohamed Khaled said that digital platforms such as Twitch and Discord, along with artificial intelligence technologies, are increasingly misused to spread propaganda.
“These evolving challenges demand constant monitoring not only by authorities but by society as a whole," he added.
Mohamed Khaled said the mid-term review outlines several new strategic directions for the ministry.
"The first is reforming and transforming the Armed Forces, which will be developed into a Joint Network-Centric Integrated Multi-Domain Force by 2030, capable of handling diverse operations from diplomacy and surveillance to deterrence and threat suppression.
New capabilities will cover space and cyber domains, artificial intelligence, unmanned systems and smart sensors.
Procurement plans include the Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS), Medium Range Air Defence (MERAD) systems and air defence artillery, aimed at countering long-range missile threats and the growing use of drones," he said.
He said the second thrust emphasises a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society (WOGOS) approach.
"It highlights the importance of both regular and reserve forces.
Currently, the military comprises 121,000 regular personnel and 34,000 reservists, with the goal of achieving a 1:1 ratio.
Programmes such as the revamped National Service Training Programme (PLKN 3.0), Reserve Officer Training Unit (Palapes), and Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) will be expanded.
We also aim to increase women’s participation in the military to 15%, in line with the UN’s Women, Peace and Security agenda. Veterans will also be empowered, with consideration given to integrating them directly into the reserves," he said.
Mohamed Khaled said the country will continue its policy of neutrality while deepening defence diplomacy through Asean and the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).
"Strategic partnerships with Western nations and Indo-Pacific stakeholders will also be expanded via joint exercises, training, exchanges, and defence technology collaborations," he added.
The fourth thrust involves enhancing the role of the Defence Science and Technology Research Institute (STRIDE) and establishing the Defence Science and Technology Advisory Council (MPSTP).
"Through the upcoming National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN), Malaysia aims to build a resilient defence industry supply chain, reduce dependence on foreign sources, and drive domestic innovation in robotics, autonomous systems, electromagnetic warfare and aerospace," he said.
He said the last thrust involves drafting the ministry's Strategic Plan 2026-2030, aligned with the 13th Malaysia Plan.
"Malaysia targets to allocate 1.5% of its GDP to defence spending by 2030," he said.
