Malaysia's defence policy is a manifestation of its goal for the
protection of its national strategic interests and the preservation of
national security. The defence policy outlines three basic fundamentals
namely national strategic interests, principles of defence and the
concept of defence. It emphasises on the need for the maintenance of a
stable and peaceful environment of the immediate areas of its strategic
interests.
Malaysia's strategic interests are viewed from three-tiers
encompassing the areas of immediate vicinity, regional and global. The
areas of its immediate vicinity comprise the land territories,
territorial waters, airspace, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the
Straits of Malacca and its approaches, and the Straits of Singapore as
well as the sea and air lines of communication connecting Peninsular
Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.
The regional areas of interest to Malaysia cover Southeast Asia,
including Andaman Islands as well as the South China Sea. Malaysia views
any development affecting the region as invariably impinging her
security and development. This is particularly significant as Malaysia
shares either common land or sea boundaries or both with most of the
ASEAN states. Any infringement to the region's security, whether in the
form of intra-regional or extra-regional conflicts, will have
consequential effects on Malaysia's security.
Malaysia's growing trade links, new markets for its products,
increasing foreign investment and the acquisition of private
enterprises with worldwide interests have broadened its interests
beyond the immediate vicinity and the region. In view of this, it is in
Malaysia's interest to ensure that global peace is maintained.
Taking cognizance of its strategic and competing interests,
Malaysia's defence revolves around the fundamental principles of
Self-Reliance, Regional Cooperation and External Assistance.
Being an independent and sovereign state, Malaysia has realised that
the preservation of its national interest and security is best
attained through the pursuit of self-reliance which is the core of its
defence policy. This principle emphasises Armed Forces self-reliance
within the structure of national self-reliance. It involves not only
the combat forces but also logistical support network of
military-industrial cooperation in line with the country's development
priorities. Self-reliance in this regard should not be limited to the
efforts of the Armed Forces but should also involve all relevant
agencies of the government and the people. However, taking into account
its limitations, Malaysia's self-reliance capability can be drawn from
two premises. These are, firstly, having the capability to act
independently without the need for foreign assistance in matters
concerning internal security and secondly, having the capability to act
independently in protecting its territorial integrity and security
interests within the immediate vicinity from low and medium level
external threats.
Due to its geographical location in Southeast Asia, Malaysia's
strategic interests and concerns inevitably coincide with those of the
other countries in the region. Given the above situation Malaysia's
security becomes quite indivisible from that of its fellow ASEAN
countries. Hence, a threat to ASEAN or any of the ASEAN countries would
also be viewed as a threat to of Malaysia. Accordingly, Malaysia
attaches great significance to regional cooperation.
Within the context of regional cooperation Malaysia also encourages
the establishment of bilateral defence cooperation within ASEAN. A
strong bilateral defence network amongst ASEAN countries will assist in
the process of confidence building and promoting transparency.
Concomitant with this approach Malaysia will promote and contribute
towards the development of a strong and effective ASEAN community in
order to ensure a secure Southeast Asia.
Malaysia views the formation of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) as
another significant development towards the continued peace and
stability of the region. This initiative by ASEAN has successfully
brought together participants to share views on mutual security
concerns. The dialogue process has proven to be an important mechanism
towards confidence building. The ARF activities will foster cooperation
and better understanding among its participants.
To complement regional cooperation, Malaysia also acknowledges the
need for external assistance from countries outside the region. The
assistance includes moral and physical support, training facilities,
transfer of technology and supply of equipment. In pursuing this effort,
it has undertaken steps to establish and reinforce relations with
countries outside the region. Hence, despite the commitment to ZOPFAN,
the reality of the situation should not allow Malaysia to preclude the
need to request for assistance from sources outside the region. This
is especially so when the level of threat is of a proportion that goes
beyond the capability of the local force.
Malaysia regards the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), which
comprises of Singapore, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand,
as an avenue for external assistance. The FPDA is the only formal
defence arrangement which Malaysia has with extra-regional powers. At
the time of its inception, Malaysia realised that self-reliance could
only be achieved over a period of time. The FPDA thus became the
mechanism through which it could develop its defence capabilities with
the assistance of traditional allies. The loose consultative mechanism
of the FPDA gave Malaysia some measure of external support and
assurance of security. In this regard, Malaysia firmly remains
committed to the continued relevance of the FPDA. Nevertheless, in view
of the present strategic scenario and the enhanced capabilities of the
Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), the role of the FPDA has been streamlined
to meet the current needs.
Malaysia's firm commitment to the United Nation's Charter has made
it to adopt a defensive defence posture. Accordingly, its defence
policy calls for the strategy that is based on deterrence and total
defence. The policy also stipulates the need to prevent conflict from
occurring within its own territory either through preventing it from
happening or by engaging the adversary as far away as possible from the
Malaysian territory.
The concept of deterrence is aimed at discouraging potential
adversary from pursuing policies that are against any peaceful means of
resolving conflicts. It calls for the application of the denial
strategy and the development of a credible armed forces with an
effective war fighting capability to deter any act of hostility or
aggression by the adversaries.
On the other hand, the concept of total defence refers to the total
and integrated efforts taken by the government, non-¬governmental
agencies, private sectors and the citizens to defend the nation.
Safeguarding Malaysia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
necessitates the commitment of all citizens and not just the Armed
Forces. While the defence of the country is the physical responsibility
of the security forces, the burden of ensuring that such forces are
able to meet the challenges confronting them is a national
responsibility.
Even though it recognises the importance of regional cooperation and
external assistance, Malaysia believes that self-reliance should
continue to be the cornerstone of its defence. In this regard Malaysia
will strive towards enhancing and developing its Armed Forces
capabilities as well as promoting defence consciousness and patriotism
among its citizens.
Source: www.mod.gov.my - 2008
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