25th March 2024 -Representatives from Malaysia Institute of Defence and Security, FAdm. Dr Tay Yap Leong, Capt. Hazlan Hazumi dan Ms Nor Aini Binti Mohd Nordin attended the Malaysia-Australia Paving The Way For Regional Geostrategic Resilience which was organised by Bait Al Amanah and the Australia High Commission Kuala Lumpur at the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur.
The event started with a welcoming remark delivered by Dr Abdul Razak Ahmad, Founding Director, Bait al Amanah followed by a Keynote Address delivered by Mr Andrew Shearer, Director General, Office of National Intelligence Australia. During his Keynote Address, he highlighted the deteriorating global geopolitical situation, the return of war in the Middle East, the pandemic, and the destruction by advanced technology, that threatens social cohesion and security including cybercrime, and climate change. 2023 largest emission of CO2. Australia is concentrating on climate change and climate risk hence will be making an assessment influence geopolitics and geeconomics.
Australia's assessment of energy transition is inevitable and will pose a risk to energy security. Rule-based orders are facing unprecedented challenges, and China and the US strategic contests according to Australia will intensify. The strategic contest is widening beyond military to technical competition, reshaping global technology. In Maritime Security, the prosperity of the region is dependent on the freedom of movement in the sea and above the sea hence Australia is concerned with China's activities in international water. Foreign interference is also a main concern of Australia however it is important to distinguish between foreign interference and foreign influence.
False information with intent to harm is a major concern, especially for Australia and their assessment showed the education sector is at risk of being used using state-sponsored think tanks and institutions. Hence, partnership is critical and strengthening partnership with Malaysia is key to both countries prosperity and security. After the keynote address, a general discussion was held and facilitated by Prof. Dr. Kuik Cheng Chwee. This is followed by a panel discussion on Global Challenges, ASEAN Centrality and the Emerging Regional Security Cooperation with panellists Dr. Tharishini Krishnan, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Defence Studies & Management, National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) and Dr. Saidatul Nadia Binti Abd Aziz, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, National University of Malaysia (UKM).
The panel was moderated Mr. Karisma Putera Abd Rahman, Research and Advocacy Analyst, Foreign Affairs and International Security Division, Bait Al Amanah. After the discussion, a Special Keynote Address was delivered by YM Raja Dato’ Nushirwan Zainal Abidin, Director General, National Security Council (MKN) of Malaysia. The event was then closed with a Closing Remark delivered by Her Excellency Danielle Heinecke, High Commissioner of Australia to Malaysia.