Put defence reforms on the frontline

Many of the causes are beyond the control of the country’s defence plan- ners. [...] Geopolitical tensions in the reformson the region further complicate the situa- tion, affecting both the challenges our armed forces face and key decisions on long-term cooperation and supply frontline chains. [...] The defence establishment needs determined political leadership and meaningful reforms to function at the desired level of efficiency and effectiveness. [...] A common refrain is that as a non- It is impossible to ignore China and ignore China and aligned country, Malaysia doesn’t need the United States’ rivalry in Malaysia’s the United States’ Moving forward focus on the military or that wars are a defence planning, given the close ties thing of the past. [...] dling key maritime routes in the The absence of a credible level of The architectures and norms that Straits of Malacca and the South deterrence, however, means Malaysia have allowed Malaysia to enjoy its China Sea, becomes a double-edged n Policymakers should will be prevented from realising its peace dividend are slowly coming sword as the major powers seek to avoid repeating past legitimate int.