MALAYSIA’S NATIONAL DEFENCE POLICY
PREFACE
Recent development in our region has pointed to a number of new challenges and
uncertainties which impact Malaysia’s national defence. While Malaysia and the region
in general are experiencing political stability and economic growth, current issues
particularly non-conventional security issues are beginning to shape and influence the
nature of threats to national defence and security. Defence development especially the
modernisation of the MAF has been undertaken to address any possibility of threats
which could adversely affect Malaysia’s sovereignty, independence and integrity.
The primary objective of the National Defence Policy is to protect and defend national
interests which form the foundations of Malaysia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and
economic prosperity. To achieve this objective a requirement for a comprehensive
strategy has been formulated as the underlying principles for national defence. The
overriding principle of this strategy is Self Reliance, the prerequisite for which is total
commitment from all sectors.
Malaysia renounces the use of threat and application of force as a means of settling
international conflict and advocates and practice the peaceful resolution of disputes.
The National Defence Policy illustrates this through the adoption of a defence strategy
based on bilateral and multilateral defence diplomacy achieved through regional and
international cooperation. In line with this philosophy Malaysia fully supports the efforts
of the United Nations and the international community in preserving universal peace
and security. As a member of the international community Malaysia has a moral
responsibility and duty to ensure a just social and economic world order.
Therefore the MAF has to attain appropriate conventional warfare capabilities. A
credible combined structure is important and attention needs to be given to develop the
capabilities in all four dimensions of defence namely land, sea, air and electromagnetic.
MALAYSIA’S NATIONAL DEFENCE POLICY
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