Defence Asset Procurement Policy - Non-Traditional Threat - Part 3

In the previous article, we have discussed about the threat that is posed by our neighbouring countries.  These traditional threats (called so as these are threats potentially posed by one country to another) unfortunately are not politically correct, thus seldom gain traction within our sociopolitical discussion sphere.

This article on the other hand will touch on non-traditional threats.  This is actually a bit of misnomer as non-traditional threat is a common threat faced by all nations.  If handled incorrectly, non-traditional threats can easily overwhelm a country and bring chaos to a country.

In the first 50 years of Malaysia's existence, she was threatened by communist insurgency.  Led by the political bogeyman Ong Boon Hua or better known as Chin Peng, the word communism became synonymous with treachery and evil to most Malaysians, especially amongst rural Malaysians.

  

Japanese Red Army - the first foreign terrorist
group to operate in Malaysia.

On 5th August 1975, this changed when Japanese Red Army stormed the AIA Building located in the middle of Kuala Lumpur.  More than 50 individuals were taken hostage. Thankfully, the incident was resolved without loss of lives.

Non-traditional threat can be largely classified into two broad categories of threats; internal threat and external threat. 

LCS Rant

What I'm going to share here is what have been pissing me off for the last 10 to 15 years.

Tugu Pahlawan

Many Malaysians only know of this place from their time at school, much less visited the site. 

A solemn place, where remembrance of war dead are conducted annually.  

A solemn tribute to those who had paid the price for the freedom of this country. 

Defence Asset Procurement Policy - Threats - Part 2

Note: In the previous article, we have explored some of the procurement methods that are in practiced in several countries, including our own.  We also explored how failure to monitor procurement issue had led to a weakened RMN. 

Disclaimer:
Information shared in this article could not be independently verified.  And even if it has been independently verified, I do not and will not identify them to protect individuals who have and may have shared these information with me.

Tun Hussein Onn

Military procurement doctrine is largely driven by threats that a country is facing.  Malaysia does not run far from this.  As mentioned in the first instalment of this article, the invasion threat and the Domino Effect theory had convinced our defence planners back then to convince then Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn (father to the current Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein).

Son, Datuk Seri Hishammudin Tun Hussein

In fact, understanding the threat that Malaysia is facing today should be the driving reason in formulating a defence assets procurement policy to ensure that our defence forces stay current and is able to counter potential threats.

There are 2 forms of threats to a nation; external and internal threat.

Defence Asset Procurement Policy - A Need

Note: this article is intended as a follow through to my previous article titled "Procurement Shift in the Pipeline?"

The last major large scale defence asset procurement made under a single programme was under the PERISTA (Program Pembangunan Rancangan Istimewa ATM) which began in the late 70's which trickled through the 1980's.

The programme which saw Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) underwent a large scale modernization programme which changed it's face from a counter-insurgency centric defence force into a largely capable semi-conventional armed forces.

 

Part of PERISTA Programme.  Unfortunately, there is a dearth of material on PERISTA purchases.

Procurement Shift in the Pipeline?

It has been about a week since I last updated this blog.  Despite last week being a week with loads of updates, especially from the defence world, I just didn't have the time to write anything.  Work life balance had gone down the drain last week and I probably need a week or two to recover.  With Mr. Note 4 (yes, I ended up buying a Note 4 and those notes joke in the past were not just mere jokes) suffering some catastrophic damage, I had to send it in for repairs, depriving me of my favourite platform to update my blog.

Anyway, let's cut the gibberish talk and go straight into business.