PETALING JAYA: The country has the potential and expertise to ensure the success of the National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN), as long as the framework is based on integrity and transparency, say defence experts.
The experts said the two main councils – the Defence Industry Council and the Defence, Science and Technology Advisory Council – will play big roles in DIPN’s success.
As such, those appointed to the councils must be competent in the defence industry, said Prof Dr Mohd Mizan Mohammad Aslam of Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia.
“Those appointed must be vetted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. Making the council answerable to either the King or the Prime Minister would further underline the seriousness of these councils,” said Mohd Mizan, who is with the Faculty of Defence Studies and Management.
“As for producing our own weaponry and technologies, we must start somewhere or be left behind. Neighbouring countries are also eager to begin building their own defence mechanisms.
“We need to produce more defence experts in the engineering faculties, cyber industry and the artificial intelligence sectors.
“We can emulate China, which imports the latest technologies and enhances them either via cooperation. We should also diversify our resources and not merely procure from the United States.
“Instead, we can also go to Russia, China, India, Poland, Brazil, Latin America or even Belarus,” said Mohd Mizan.
Defence analyst Zaki Salleh said a roadmap was needed to provide a timeframe to develop our defence industry.
“The DIPN should not be a book that merely changes its covers, as with previous defence policies under the Malaysian Security Council.
“We already have local experts who can develop our radar, laser and various other defence systems. However, we have yet to have high expertise. The question is: are we intending to develop at the basics, mid-zone, or high end?
“We already have expertise in loitering munitions. The government should now support these players, since drone usage is a must in modern warfare,” said Zaki.
Universiti Utara Malaysia security and geopolitical analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mohamed Faisol Keling said Malaysia already has expertise in sub-defence equipment, especially in IT and electronic equipment.
“It would be good if Malaysia focused on this sector without abandoning the main defence sector,” he said.
