KOTA KINABALU — Malaysia’s Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, emphasized the need to reinforce national security from within the country amidst evolving threats that extend beyond physical borders and into the digital realm. Speaking at the launch of the Defence Literacy Programme here on Saturday, he highlighted the growing influence of hostile actors through smartphones, social media, and cyberspace.
“Enemies and threats no longer come solely from outside but can manifest within a nation through various digital platforms such as cellphones and laptops," Mohamed Khaled said. He stressed that such vulnerabilities require Malaysians to exercise caution and maturity in their use of technology to prevent these digital avenues from becoming security risks.
The Defence Literacy Programme aims to raise public awareness about the definition of defending the country and to foster a collective responsibility towards national security. Mohamed Khaled noted that the protection of sovereignty is not the sole purview of the military or security forces but a duty shared by all citizens. “We need to build our defence literacy and contribute by preventing actions or behaviors that could undermine political stability and social harmony,” he said.
The minister underscored the importance of building societal resilience against propaganda, provocation, and extremism, which pose threats to public security in Malaysia’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. The programme’s educational component includes talks on cognitive threats and cultivating national patriotism, organized by the Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security in partnership with Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia.
Sabah was selected as the inaugural location for the programme due to recent increased militarization in the nearby Philippine territory of Balabac. This area, approximately 50 kilometers north of Sabah at the southern tip of the Philippines’ Palawan Island, has seen a heightened military presence under the Philippines-US Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement. Analysts view this development as positioning Sabah closer to the frontline of the strategic rivalry between the United States and China in the South China Sea.
When asked about the Philippines’ collaboration with the US military, Mohamed Khaled acknowledged it as a sovereign decision but cautioned about its implications. “We are aware of the power struggle in the South China Sea. Any unpredictable events in that region may also have an impact on us,” he said. “Malaysia must take independent measures to strengthen its own defence.”
The Defence Literacy Programme represents an effort by Malaysian authorities to engage both policymakers and the public in safeguarding the nation amid complex and emerging security challenges.