Malaysia Urges Agile, Resilient Armies To Confront Hybrid And Grey-zone Threats

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has stressed the need for armies to remain agile and resilient in confronting modern security challenges, saying land forces must be prepared to counter hybrid and grey-zone threats ranging from information warfare to cyber intrusions.

Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the transformation of land forces must involve not only doctrinal evolution but also a shift in mindset, as adaptability is essential in today’s volatile security landscape.

He also highlighted that the Indo-Pacific remains the strategic centre of gravity for global affairs and commerce, with over 60 per cent of world trade transiting its waters, making regional stability crucial to the global economy.

“From Malaysia’s perspective, defence and security are rooted in balance such as between diplomacy and deterrence, between modernisation and readiness, and between national priorities and regional responsibilities,” he said.

He said this when officiating the 14th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the 49th Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and the 11th Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF) 2025 at the InterContinental Hotel here today.

Adly outlined five strategic priorities for land forces, namely agility in facing hybrid threats, adaptation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and unmanned systems.

“Also included are logistics resilience, people-centric transformation through leadership development, and enhancing humanitarian assistance and climate security response,” he said.

He said Malaysia remains committed to international security through active participation in peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, as well as multilateral exercises under ASEAN and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).

This, he said, reaffirms Malaysia’s belief that cooperative security represents the only sustainable path forward.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Army Chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan said hosting IPACC, IPAMS and SELF for the third time underscores Malaysia’s commitment to regional defence cooperation, noting that no nation can confront the region’s complex mix of traditional and non-traditional security challenges alone.

Also present were United States Army Pacific Commanding General Gen Ronald Clark and Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur David Gamble.

In his remarks, Clark described Malaysia as a great partner in the region, noting that the gathering of 25 delegations at IPACC, IPAMS and SELF is a testament to the collective will to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together. Our partnerships are our asymmetric advantage in facing both adversaries and natural disasters. The free world and rules-based international order rely upon our ability to prevail in times of crisis,” he said.

The conference, themed “Forging Synergy: Transforming Multinational Land Power Network Through Open Fashion Contact”, runs until Sept 26 at Hotel InterContinental Kuala Lumpur.

It brings together 162 participants from 27 countries, including 13 Chiefs of Army, to discuss strengthening interoperability, information-sharing, technology integration and humanitarian response capabilities across the Indo-Pacific.

-- BERNAMA