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Regional Security Issues And Challlenges (Strategic)

a.

Involvement Highest Level Political Leader

Individuals in the highest levels of the Malaysian government were suspicious of

a conspiracy, especially considering the highly unusual timing of the Sulu incursion,
which was so close to elections in both Malaysia and the Philippines. The Malaysian
Prime Minister, expressed concern that the Lahad Datu standoff would negatively affect
the ongoing status of Sabah as a Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold a fixed-deposit
state for votes in the 13th general election. Meanwhile, opposition leaders had been
increasingly successful in highlighting local issues, such as marginalisation in the
mainstream of national development, corruption among local UMNO leaders, illegal
immigrants, dissatisfaction over federal to state relations and the integrity of the election
process. The opposition leaders also success in highlighting local issues, Sabah once
again became the key determinants of who forms the majority in the Malaysian
parliament.
b.

Media Coverage

The powers of media more attract attention from public and derive them a sort of
obedience and capture their minds. Perception and emotion the outside people from
both countries was enough to attain an unlimited strategic condition that had moved it
away from the traditional battle field to an altogether a new battle space. Since the rise
of media developments, these multifaceted make leader of military ponder on whether
should go beyond traditional conceptualization of security or stay put in the old order of
thinking.
c.
Coordination on policy between government of Malaysia and Philippine
regarding Sultanate of Sulu and the community
Non state actors indeed had come to play a larger role in global security. Such
roles could either be positive or negative to our society which means that it either
contributed in addressing security challenges or become source of security challenges.
Both countries less discuss about the Sulu status. May be previous in time they are not
menace to both of governments.
Policy papers should produced by analyst during conferences and dialogues are
enabling the insertion of better policy. The advisors in this instance help increase
understanding and cooperation between government and non government entities.
Round Table discussions were another method of soliciting information and insights that
may rival an immediate known source. So the engagement in research projects on
non-traditional security concerns should include trafficking in human beings, labour
migrations and population issues such as energy and environment for among others.
Admittedly time, money and dedication was needed in examining peace and security
policy issues, some of the study it could be argued can be brought into the study by
governments.
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d.
Coordination and cooperation among law enforcement authorities across
the region
In terms of niche areas such as cyber security, states should agree on a common
position regarding shared norms for responsible state behaviour and the applicability of
international law for the use of advanced cyber capabilities and techniques.
Coordination and cooperation among law enforcement authorities across the region and
with third countries as well as Europol and INTERPOL should be strengthened. By
building trust where members have common interests, practical cooperation and
sustained dialogue will help Malaysia and Philippine governments work through
disagreements and help it tackle the emerging transnational security challenges within
the region. Any disagreements between states should be settled peacefully and in
accordance with international law.
f.

Social Media Coverage and Information Operation

It is not impossible for the remote areas to be on par with their urban
counterparts when equipped with the right tools. Although rural areas used to have less
exposed compared to those living in cities, nowadays this could be easily reversed
through technology by bridging the gap between two distances. Now, one can see some
quarters on the internet are recycling unrelated video of killings in the Philippines and
associating them to the Lahad Datu operation. Everything what Malaysia do is clearly to
gain political mileage and continuing to paint a bad picture of the present Government.
Social media becomes an avenue to spread rumours and create viral negative spin.
Now, given all the statements by the international media, from credible sources and how
things are spun through the social media, it raised alarm bells whether the Lahad Datu
incident was carefully pre-planned but it was certainly a failure in our Military and Police
Intelligences Department to prevent such kind of Sabah incursion.

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