Chapter 1: National Interests Malaysia regards the defence of national interests as fundamental to its sovereignty and independence. In line with this the principal objective of the National Defence policy is the protection and defence of Malaysia’s interests and territories from domestic and external threats. Malaysia’s geographical interests are divided into the following: Core areas; Offshore economic interests; and Strategic waterways and airspace. The core areas encompass Malaysia’s landmass of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak; its territorial waters and airspace above them. These areas must be fully protected and defended to the best of Malaysia’s ability from external threats. The offshore economic areas are the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf. These areas in the South China Sea are abundant with fisheries and hydrocarbon resources which have contributed significantly to the nation’s economy. Malaysia’s strategic maritime and airspace lines of communication are as follow: The maritime and airspace lines of communication connecting Peninsular Malaysia with Sabah and Sarawak; Strait of Malacca and its approaches; and Strait of Singapore and its approaches. The physical separation of Peninsular Malaysia from Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea imposes to Malaysia a special interest in sea and air lanes connecting both the land masses. Any threat or obstruction to these sea and airspace lines of MALAYSIA’S NATIONAL DEFENCE POLICY Page 3