KUALA LUMPUR: Amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties affecting global maritime routes, any decision concerning the Strait of Malacca must be made collectively by all countries involved, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Defence Minister said any move involving the strategic waterway must be agreed upon by littoral states – Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.
“Countries in the region are capable of managing any issues involving the area,” he said yesterday, assuring that the waterway remains safe and secure, with no disruptions to shipping traffic.
“There are no obstacles for vessels passing through, and there is no reason for any country, whether a small or major power, to express intentions of controlling it.
“The countries here are fully capable of managing it,” he said in response to speculation that the United States is “interested” in the Strait of Malacca.
Previously, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan had said no unilateral decision should be made regarding the waterway.
The Strait of Malacca is a 900km-long narrow sea lane between Peninsular Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
It connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean via the South China Sea, acting as a primary shipping channel between major Asian economies and the rest of the world.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia is stepping up efforts to enhance its cyber and digital defence capabilities with the development of a cyber and electromagnetic command (PSEP).
“The PSEP will focus on building high-quality talent through professional military education, ensuring the armed forces are equipped with the necessary expertise to counter evolving threats in the digital domain,” he said in his keynote address at the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) forum.
He said efforts are also underway to align PSEP with the Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation (MDIO) to create a real-time, data-driven intelligence ecosystem.
“This integration is expected to enhance information superiority and operational effectiveness, particularly in asymmetric warfare scenarios,” he added.
In a move to widen participation in national defence, the government is setting up a Cyber Security and Geospatial Specialist Regiment under the Territorial Army, the minister said.
“The initiative aims to encourage skilled youth and professionals to contribute their expertise in strengthening the nation’s cyber resilience,” he added.
Mohamed Khaled said that the ministry is leveraging a variety of platforms to enhance its capabilities in fields such as drones, satellites, and radar systems.
“Amid increasingly complex and sophisticated cyber threats, it is crucial to maintain consistent and proactive readiness across all sectors of society, not just within the armed forces,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled said war today often begins not with physical attacks but with digital disruptions, information manipulation, and the weaponisation of AI.
“Therefore, Malaysia cannot remain idle; we must adapt,” he added.
