‘Malaysia moving at own pace'
COUNTRIES like Singapore and South Korea have integrated artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance, predictive logistics and cyber command structures into their militaries.
How does Malaysia's cyber and AI modernisation trajectory compare with regional peers and strategic partners, and what best practices or models can be realistically emulated?
Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia's cyber and technology policy programme director Farlina Said says Malaysia is moving at its own pace, especially given fiscal, strategic priorities and policy considerations.
Best practices from efforts like Singapore's Digital Defence and Nato's DIANA (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) 'are the interlinkages between basic cybersecurity practices, the need to ensure system and society resilience is high in times of conflict and times of peace, in addition to the role R&D and innovation would play for force development', she says.
'However, Malaysia would have to be prudent with adoption and projects so developments could grow at a measured pace.'
Farlina says AI and cyber capabilities are no longer optional. — krinstitute.org
How will military modernisation transform the existing command structure?
Farlina says AI can be employed in a number of ways to assist with decision-making and operational effectiveness.
'It can analyse images, detect threats, analyse data, conduct administrative tasks, generate efficient logistics suggestions, or support training in intuitive ways.
'As such, the military would have to develop the digital ecosystem and talent to operate and address these challenges.
'There are challenges in regard to talent, especially to train and sustain. Preparing for an AI-ena-bled or AI-combat ready proficiency does require preparing the ecosystem so it is capable of searching for and exploiting vulnerabilities which strengthens AI usage.'
But it may not absolutely change command structures, says Farlina.
'Battlefield dynamics for joint operations may have greater considerations for sovereignty, and experts have already noted the difficulty in shared assets for the digital ecosystem, especially on the interoperability of algorithms.'
Farlina says Malaysia has to consider both strategic and tactical goals in realising AI ambitions.
'Malaysia passed the Cyber-security Act last year which addresses protection of critical infrastructure. This also recognises the defence sector as critical thus mandating cybersecurity standards, processes and obligations in the supply chain.'
On the types of AI-enabled or cyber-resilient equipment that should be prioritised in Malaysia's procurement strategy, Farlina says Malaysia 'may be in a place for talent acquisition and development'.
However, she says Malaysia would have to consider the role of building or customising AI which could strengthen the armed forces' ability to achieve goals during operations.
'Tactics and strategy can change with ICT because perhaps there are assets you would have to protect that may not have been there before. Mapping strengths, weaknesses and functions of AI within specific teams could be useful to understand interoperability.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Malay Mail
LCS project progress at 73pc, slightly behind schedule, says defence minister
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — The littoral combat ship (LCS) project is behind schedule at 72.9 per cent completion as of June 25, short of its 76.1 per cent target, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said. In a written parliamentary reply, Khaled attributed the shortfall to necessary rework on piping and cabling systems, following observations by the project's design authority, France's Naval Group. 'The delay was caused by rework on piping and extended cabling following comments by the design authority,' Khaled stated. 'Nevertheless, the ministry remains committed to ensuring all ships are delivered within the updated timeline.' According to Khaled, LCS1 entered its Setting to Work (STW) phase in May and is slated for its first sea trial in December. LCS2 underwent a 'technical downslip' in May and is expected to be handed over to the Royal Malaysian Navy by April 2027. He added that the construction of LCS3 to LCS5 is proceeding according to schedule, with deliveries planned every eight months from 2027 until the final vessel is completed in 2029. The minister also updated the Dewan Rakyat on other key procurements, including the acquisition of three ANKA drones from Turkish Aerospace Industries, which are expected to be delivered by February 2026. 'Assembly has reached 99 per cent, and aircraft system integration is at 85 per cent,' he said, calling the drones a major boost for the country's surveillance and border-monitoring capabilities. Khaled also assured Parliament that mechanisms are in place to prevent a repeat of past procurement failures. 'We've established various levels of monitoring, from contract administration to ministerial oversight, with involvement from the Finance Ministry, the Economy Ministry, the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU), and the Attorney General's Chambers,' he said.
The Star
26-07-2025
- The Star
‘Malaysia moving at own pace'
The TAI Anka is a series of UAVs developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries chiefly for the Turkish Air Force. Malaysia has bought three units for military use. — Wikicommons COUNTRIES like Singapore and South Korea have integrated artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance, predictive logistics and cyber command structures into their militaries. How does Malaysia's cyber and AI modernisation trajectory compare with regional peers and strategic partners, and what best practices or models can be realistically emulated? Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia's cyber and technology policy programme director Farlina Said says Malaysia is moving at its own pace, especially given fiscal, strategic priorities and policy considerations. Best practices from efforts like Singapore's Digital Defence and Nato's DIANA (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) 'are the interlinkages between basic cybersecurity practices, the need to ensure system and society resilience is high in times of conflict and times of peace, in addition to the role R&D and innovation would play for force development', she says. 'However, Malaysia would have to be prudent with adoption and projects so developments could grow at a measured pace.' Farlina says AI and cyber capabilities are no longer optional. — How will military modernisation transform the existing command structure? Farlina says AI can be employed in a number of ways to assist with decision-making and operational effectiveness. 'It can analyse images, detect threats, analyse data, conduct administrative tasks, generate efficient logistics suggestions, or support training in intuitive ways. 'As such, the military would have to develop the digital ecosystem and talent to operate and address these challenges. 'There are challenges in regard to talent, especially to train and sustain. Preparing for an AI-ena-bled or AI-combat ready proficiency does require preparing the ecosystem so it is capable of searching for and exploiting vulnerabilities which strengthens AI usage.' But it may not absolutely change command structures, says Farlina. 'Battlefield dynamics for joint operations may have greater considerations for sovereignty, and experts have already noted the difficulty in shared assets for the digital ecosystem, especially on the interoperability of algorithms.' Farlina says Malaysia has to consider both strategic and tactical goals in realising AI ambitions. 'Malaysia passed the Cyber-security Act last year which addresses protection of critical infrastructure. This also recognises the defence sector as critical thus mandating cybersecurity standards, processes and obligations in the supply chain.' On the types of AI-enabled or cyber-resilient equipment that should be prioritised in Malaysia's procurement strategy, Farlina says Malaysia 'may be in a place for talent acquisition and development'. However, she says Malaysia would have to consider the role of building or customising AI which could strengthen the armed forces' ability to achieve goals during operations. 'Tactics and strategy can change with ICT because perhaps there are assets you would have to protect that may not have been there before. Mapping strengths, weaknesses and functions of AI within specific teams could be useful to understand interoperability.'
The Star
26-07-2025
- The Star
Strong homegrown ecosystem needed
UAVs, which come in different shapes and sizes. — Wikicommons TO reduce dependence on external vendors, Malaysia must develop a strong homegrown innovation ecosystem, says Universiti Malaya's International Institute of Public Policy deputy executive director Dr Muhammad Danial Azman. He says we can begin by forming close partnerships between government, industry and academia, supported by clear policies and stable funding. Danial outlines several key components that can be explored, including public-private-academic consortia to establish defence R&D clusters that unite universities, sovereign funds and established primes. 'Co-fund projects from bench to field via matching grants, ensuring pathways to commercialisation for breakthroughs. Or host annual 'Defence Innovation Challenges' to crowdsource AI and UAV solutions from local startups,' he suggests. Also proposed is the building of defence technology sandboxes which entails the creation of regulatory zones where SMEs can test ISR sensors, autonomy software and communication links on military bases; and fast-track certification for proven prototypes, reducing red tape from years to months. 'We can use data from sandboxes to improve doctrines and operational concepts.' The concept of modular, open- architecture platforms can also be considered. Danial says open interfaces can be mandated for AI payloads and drone subsystems, enabling plug-and-play upgrades from various vendors, other than encouraging local SMEs to specialise in niche modules –such as vision processors, secure data links, or payload dispensers – rather than entire platforms. 'Use commercial off-the-shelf hardware where possible, then gradually replace critical parts with Malaysian-designed components.' When it comes to policy and procurement measures, Danial suggests the enforcement of local content requirements in defence procurement, with clear metrics on technology transfer. 'Include co-development clauses in all major contracts, ensuring primes collaborate with Malaysian entities from the start. Allocate a portion of the Defence White Paper budget exclusively for early-stage, high-risk and high-reward indigenous projects.' At the same time, building public trust in defence procurement depends on three pillars: independent oversight, tiered transparency and adaptive contracting. 'These must collaborate to illuminate budgets and schedules without revealing sensitive capabilities or restricting commanders' flexibility.' Among others, Danial says governance mechanisms for accountability may include several policy options such as the establishment of an independent defence audit commission and empowering parliamentary oversight cells with security clearance to review classified annexes.
