Global Threat: Malaysia Must Bolster Food, Energy, Cyber Security Risilience- Expert

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia needs to strengthen its national preparedness to address global security threats, including cyberattacks, disruptions to critical infrastructure, and instability in food and energy supply chains.

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Melaka Faculty of Communication and Media Studies senior lecturer Muhammad Anwar Fahmi Hari Das Abdullah said ongoing geopolitical tensions and international conflicts could also affect the country's economic stability and national security.

He said the government must ensure the security of essential supplies, particularly water, energy and food, while taking into account the impact of climate change, which could further complicate national security challenges.

"Global security threats to Malaysia include cyberattacks, disruptions to critical infrastructure, food supply chain issues, and economic and financial instability. These are all critical matters that require focused attention," he said during an interview on Bernama TV's Malaysia Petang Ini programme today.

He added that strengthening national preparedness required comprehensive cooperation involving the National Security Council (NSC), ministries and government agencies at federal, state and local authority levels, as well as the active participation of the public.

Muhammad Anwar Fahmi Hari Das said the government should also strengthen national security laws and frameworks, including through the Cyber Security Act 2024, to protect the country's Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).

He also proposed strengthening the digital identities and security systems of government agencies through multi-factor authentication (MFA) and MyDigital ID to minimise the risk of data theft and phishing attacks.

On food security, he stressed that the issue should not be taken lightly, despite Malaysia's advantages in terms of fertile land and agricultural resources.

"The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has previously stated that the country holds a rice stockpile of 1.19 million metric tonnes, sufficient to meet demand for nine months," he said.

However, he said the government must maintain transparency in providing information on food supplies and strengthen long-term planning to mitigate potential disruptions to international supply chains.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Anwar Fahmi Hari Das said the concept of ASEAN centrality was an advantage for Malaysia, given its strong relations with fellow ASEAN member states, particularly in addressing global security crises collectively.

He said regional cooperation was crucial across various areas, including conventional defence, cybersecurity, and efforts to safeguard food and energy security.

"ASEAN also has a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) mechanism, which focuses on addressing cybersecurity threats," he said.

He noted that the government had previously managed the impact of geopolitical tensions on global oil prices, including those arising from conflicts involving Iraq and Iran, as well as tensions involving Israel and the United States, while continuing to provide subsidies to help cushion the impact of rising costs on the public.

"This underscores the importance of cohesion among government leaders in managing the repercussions of international conflicts on the economy and the well-being of the people," he added.

On the public's role, he said people needed to understand the nature of global security threats, take measures to protect their personal data, and ensure their economic and financial positions remained resilient in the face of potential crises.

"Most importantly, leaders must be truthful, and we, together with the government, must consistently work to address crises. This is a shared duty and responsibility," he said.

--BERNAMA