Kuala lumpur: The need for higher defence spending was driven not only by regional dynamics but also by emerging threats, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He said several developments had changed the government's approach to defence policy and expenditure, including emerging challenges such as cyber and electromagnetic threats, as well as mass misinformation campaigns.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamed Khaled noted that within the regional security landscape, these issues had to be viewed in the broader context of growing geopolitical uncertainty and a shifting security environment. He stated, "It is not that Malaysia suddenly sees any particular country as a threat, but there is clearly an increase in military activity and presence in the region, particularly as strategic competition between the major powers intensifies." He emphasized that when one side increases its presence or capabilities, it is natural for others to respond, thereby creating a more complex security environment for countries like Malaysia.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, highlighted the necessity for additional defence spending, potentially ranging from hundreds of millions to billions of ringgit, to ensure sufficient assets and capabilities to address the increasingly complex security environment. Mohamed Khaled added that the possibility of miscalculations or incidents escalating into something more serious naturally increased with more military assets operating within a relatively confined geographical space.

Addressing developments in the southern Philippines, including areas close to Sabah, Mohamed Khaled stated that even if an incident did not directly involve Malaysia, any escalation in that area could have wider implications for national security and stability in the South China Sea. He reaffirmed Malaysia's respect for the Philippines' right to determine its own defence arrangements based on its security requirements, emphasizing the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to manage any potential misunderstandings.

Mohamed Khaled stressed that regional developments should not be framed as Malaysia choosing sides, as the primary concern was maintaining regional stability and ensuring strategic competition between major powers did not create unintended consequences for ASEAN countries. He stated that Malaysia would continue to strengthen its own defence preparedness, which was not directed against the Philippines, the United States, China, or any other nation.

He highlighted that the modernisation of the Malaysian Armed Forces had long been part of national defence planning, with intentions to gradually increase defence spending to 1.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030. He noted, "We are also strengthening capabilities in areas that are strategically important to Malaysia, including Pulau Layang-Layang. Again, this is about national defence and national interest, rather than responding to or targeting any particular country."

Mohamed Khaled described the government's approach as following two tracks: maintaining sufficient capabilities to protect sovereignty and national interests while advocating for stability, dialogue, and diplomacy. On the South China Sea, he emphasized that all parties must continue to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could lead to escalation, adding that progress on the Code of Conduct was vital for a predictable environment. He concluded, "Malaysia will continue to support ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN approach of providing space for dialogue, even where there are differences and overlapping claims. We want the region to remain stable, open, and peaceful. That remains our priority."