The Defence White Paper defines the government’s stance on national defence and strategic perspectives that influence Malaysia’s safety, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin Khaled said at the launch of the document’s mid-term review at Wisma Perwira ATM in KL on Tuesday.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence White Paper is set to undergo a mid-term review this year after it was passed in Parliament in 2019, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin.
The review will help to identify the efficiency or weaknesses of approaches employed since 2020, he added.
Khaled said it also presents an opportunity to strengthen the document in accordance with various changes and developments since its launch.
This, he added, includes the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and, more recently, the decision to reintroduce the National Service Training Programme.
“Findings from the mid-term review will also be the basis for both the Defence Ministry and Armed Forces to negotiate with the Federal Government to ensure its plans are considered in the 13th Malaysia Plan,” he said in his speech at the launch of the mid-term review here on Tuesday.
As the nation’s first Defence White Paper, the document explains the government’s stance on national defence and strategic perspectives that influence Malaysia’s safety.
It also outlines a National Defence Framework to ensure Malaysia is safe, sovereign and prosperous.
Khaled also outlined five points that could be considered during the mid-term review.
Introducing a special task force to tackle cyber crimes and digital threats was among the options that could be considered, he said, noting that neighbouring countries have similar units.
“Analysts have predicted that conflicts or warfare will involve technological advancements such as unmanned drones and assets controlled digitally,” he added.
Another aspect was utilising big data and artificial intelligence for threat monitoring, trend analysis, performance tracking, drive transformation, and as a touch point platform.
Khaled said the mid-term review would focus on developing and expanding the defence industry, empowering reserve Armed Forces members, and defence diplomacy.
In his address, ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said the White Paper began in 2019 and is scheduled to conclude in 2030.
“It is now 2024. We have six years left to perform the necessary fine-tuning to ensure the White Paper is comprehensive, inclusive and ready,” he said.
He also described the policy paper as a “game changer” which will enhance national security and nation building under the 12th Malaysia Plan.
Isham said the document was critical in showing Malaysia was open to developing and expanding its defence capabilities.
“It is not purely for being on the offensive, but more for showcasing the government’s efforts in ensuring Malaysia’s defence capabilities are not only ready to defend but also to assist other countries requiring a hand,” he said.
He said it was also timely for the ministry to note efforts carried out since 2020 and evaluate what could be better developed.
“We will also find the gaps that need to be filled as soon as possible,” he added.
Prior to the launch, there was also a panel discussion on defence and security issues.
The panellists were Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s head of Centre for Asian Studies Prof Dr Kuik Cheng-Chwee, Universiti Pertahanan Malaysia lecturer Prof Dr Adam Leong Kok Wey, Shahriman Lockman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies, and Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) president and chief executive officer Rushdi Abdul Rahim.
The Defence White Paper is a public document entailing national defence policies, aiming to outline them over a 10-year period.
The mid-term review will be carried out for a year and is expected to be concluded by the end of 2024.
In efforts to review the Defence White Paper, the Defence Ministry will take a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to carrying out engagements with stakeholders. They include national, safety and security stakeholders, defence industry members, civil society and foreign partners.
Engagements will include meetings, workshops, townhalls, conferences, forums and online feedback questionnaires.
A dedicated portal https://kspkpp.mod.gov.my/ will also be established to provide the public with an avenue to give feedback on the document.
