A secure, sovereign and prosperous Malaysia
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Defence White Paper (DWP) represents the Government’s firm commitment to Malaysia’s defense and resilience to protect national interests, particularly to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. As Malaysia’s inaugural DWP, it details the Government’s stance on national defense, presents its outlook for strategic trends, and outlines the National Defence Framework to pursue the vision of Malaysia as a secure, sovereign and prosperous nation.
This DWP underscores three key messages: (1) do not take national security for granted; (2) the Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approaches are central to national defense; and (3) non-alignment and shared security is the basis of Malaysia’s Credible Partnerships.
The DWP is developed based on the National Security Policy, Malaysia’s main national security document. The DWP recognizes the important roles played by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) in leading the nation’s defense, as well as the participation of other stakeholders and the rakyat, the Malaysian people, in the national defense ecosystem.
The DWP is structured into three parts: (1) Vision; (2) Strategy; and (3) Implementation. They cover the ends, ways, and means to protect Malaysia’s national interests. The first part, which consists of the Introduction (Chapter 1) and Strategic Outlook (Chapter 2), sets the direction of the national defense. The second part covers Defence Strategy (Chapter 3), The Future Force (Chapter 4), People in Defence (Chapter 5), and International Defence Engagement (Chapter 6), and discusses methods and approaches to galvanize the internal and external resources available to Malaysia to pursue the three pillars of the National Defence Strategy. The third part, which comprises of Defence Science, Technology and Industry (Chapter 7) and Transformation, Governance and Funding (Chapter 8), details the Government’s initiatives to ensure the successful implementation of the DWP.
Chapter 1 introduces the DWP by answering the questions: What is a Defence White Paper? Why is the Government issuing the DWP? and How will the DWP set forth the direction to pursue the national defense vision? The DWP serves three purposes: (1) engaging the rakyat and stakeholders; (2) evaluating the ever-changing security environment; and (3) exploring approaches to enhance Malaysia’s defense capability and preparedness. Malaysia’s geographical location in the middle of Southeast Asia with the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea on one side, and the Indian Ocean and Straits of Malacca on the other side, position Malaysia as a maritime nation with continental roots, the bridging linchpin between the two ocean regions.
Chapter 2 analyses the increasingly complex security environment at the global and regional levels. This uncertainty has presented both challenges and opportunities to the nation, the region, and the international community. Malaysia is not beset by military conflict with other countries. However, the nation still faces three main security challenges, namely: (1) uncertain big power relations; (2) complex Southeast Asian neighborhoods; and (3) increasing non-traditional security threats.
Chapter 3 discusses the National Defence Strategy based on the National Defence Framework, divided into three parts: (1) National Defence Vision; (2) National Defence Interests; and (3) National Defence Objectives. The National Defence Vision envisages Malaysia as a secure, sovereign, and prosperous nation. This, in turn, defines Malaysia’s defense interests: (1) security; (2) sovereignty; and (3) prosperity. This Framework identifies five National Defence Objectives. This chapter then introduces three Concentric Areas of Interest consisting of (1) Core Area; (2) Extended Area; and (3) Forward Area that contains national interests that have to be protected at all times. Subsequently, this chapter outlines the three pillars of the National Defence Strategy: (1) Concentric Deterrence; (2) Comprehensive Defence; and (3) Credible Partnerships.
Chapter 4 explains the Government’s plan to develop the Future Force to pursue the strategy of Concentric Deterrence. The Future Force adopts a defensive posture, in line with Malaysia’s position that is against the use of force to solve any dispute or conflict. The development of the Future Force is based on five characteristics: (1) Jointness; (2) Interoperability; (3) Technology-Based; (4) Able to Operate Simultaneously in Two Theatres; and (5) Mission-Orientated. It identifies ten capability requirements to transform the MAF into an integrated, agile, and focused force, and to effectively perform the tasks of detecting, Deter and Deny along the Concentric Areas.
Chapter 5 highlights the roles of both the defense workforce and the rakyat in implementing the strategy of Comprehensive Defence. The defense workforce consists of the Regular Forces, Volunteer Forces, MAF Veterans, and civil servants working in the defense and security sector. This chapter lists the fundamentals that require attention and actions for each category of defense workforce. It also discusses the participation of and by the rakyat in defending the country, in line with the concept of Pertahanan Menyeluruh (HANRUH). Instilling patriotism and a security culture among the people is emphasized to ensure their active participation in the national defense ecosystem.
Chapter 6 focuses on international defense relations in pursuing the strategy of Credible Partnerships. It describes Malaysia’s engagements with neighboring countries, as well as countries of interest at the bilateral and multilateral levels. The Credible Partnerships are vital to achieving five defense relations goals: (1) Shaping Malaysia’s defense relations with other countries; (2) Managing shared security challenges; (3) Fostering regional stability in accordance with international laws, conventions, rules, and norms; (4) Enhancing the MAF’s capabilities and defense readiness; and (5) Promoting Malaysia’s position and interests in the international arena. This chapter also sets forth the directions for Malaysia’s future defense engagements.
Chapter 7 discusses the role of defense science, technology, and industry as a catalyst for enhancing the nation’s defense ecosystem and economic growth. It identifies three core initiatives: (1) Stimulating research and development; (2) Encouraging economic spillover contributions to the nation; and (3) Fulfilling the nation’s defense needs. This chapter puts forward the framework for the National Defence Industry Policy (NDIP) that sets the direction based on five key thrusts: (1) Human Capital Development; (2) Technology Development; (3) Industrial Development; (4) Towards Self-reliance; and (5) Penetrating the Global Market.
Chapter 8 identifies three building blocks for the implementation of the DWP: (1) Pursuing defense transformation; (2) Institutionalising good governance; and (3) Securing stable defense funding. A National Defence Investment Plan (Pelan Pelaburan Pertahanan Negara, 3PN) will be developed to register the requirements and steps to be taken to implement defense transformation. To oversee the implementation of the DWP and ensure good governance, the Government will establish: (1) a Defence Investment Committee chaired by the Prime Minister; (2) Policy Committee chaired by the Minister of Defence; and (3) a Defence Transformation Committee co-chaired by the Secretary General of MINDEF and Chief of Defence Forces. The expected outcome includes structured defense funding for the development of the Future Force and expansion of the local defense industry, all of which aim to maximize legitimacy, acceptability, and reliability.
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