Towards digital-ready armed forces
KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry will focus on several strategic considerations when reviewing its White Paper highlighting non-traditional threats, says Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin.

The Defence Minister said this includes the formation of a “Force of the Future” that specialises in cybersecurity, digital threats and electromagnetic defence.

He said the preparation and development of the force are the major objectives of the Defence White Paper.

Khaled said it serves as the foundation backed by policies and strategic plans.

“However, the definition of the Force of Future must be understood in a wider context and more strategically.

“Development of this force must be seen as a process that requires exploring the need for other strategies,” he said in a speech at the launching of the Defence White Paper Mid-term Review at Dewan Perkasa, Wisma ATM here yesterday.

Khaled said some countries have frontiered the future-proof defence force and Malaysia will not be left behind.

“A lot of world frontiers in defence have started to give serious attention to this aspect openly and more innovatively,” he said, citing Singapore’s Digital and Intelligence Services (DIS) established under its Armed Forces in 2022.

Khaled said the mid-term review is also looking into the ministry and Armed Forces’ adaptation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data and digitalisation.

“In terms of AI adaptation, big data and digitisation, there are combined functions that can assist the ministry and the Armed Forces.

“These are summarised as 5T – threats monitoring, trends analysis, performance tracking, transformation driver and touchpoint platform,” he added.

The defence industry development and growth will also be a central part of the review with focus on the empowerment of local talents, strategic partnerships with experienced leaders among others.

Khaled said that the review will dive deeper into ways to recruit more personnel into the defence sector.

“The Defence White Paper has clearly explained the roles of reserved officers within our defence ecosystem.

“However, we acknowledge that the main challenge is to attract more people to serve with the armed forces.

“With that, I encourage that we place a clear target in recruiting, training and having optimum reserve members in a particular period,” he said.

Khaled said Malaysia will also continue to position itself as a nation with soft defence power that is outstanding and effective.

“We must highlight Malaysia as an open stage that can discuss defence against non-traditional threats,” he said, citing Malaysia’s Asean Summit chairmanship next year as a perfect platform.

The Defence White Paper is a public document on national defence policies.

Passed in Parliament on Dec 2, 2019, it aims at outlining the country’s defence policies over a 10-year period beginning 2021 to 2030.

As the nation’s first Defence White Paper, the document explains the government’s stance on national defence and strategic perspectives.

It outlines a National Defence Framework to ensure Malaysia is safe, sovereign and prosperous.

Separately, Khaled confirmed that Jen (R) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor had resigned as Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) chairman.

Khaled said that he had referred to LTAT’s official statement when he initially said Raja Mohamed Affandi retired from the post.

“I was using what was released by LTAT. He resigned, actually,” he told reporters after the event.

This was after the LTAT issued a statement on Feb 8 saying he had retired.
Defence Ministry,Khaled Nordin,Defence White Paper
KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry will focus on several strategic considerations when reviewing its White Paper highlighting non-traditional threats, says Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin.