Khaled warns of cognitive warfare threats

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Defence Ministry is intensifying its efforts to combat emerging cognitive warfare threats, encompassing disinformation, digital propaganda, and the utilization of artificial intelligence to sway public perception and actions in Malaysia. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin highlighted that these threats have transcended traditional warfare and transformed into hybrid forms, capable of exploiting technology and societal fissures.

Cognitive warfare is defined as a deliberate strategy to manipulate how individuals perceive information, evaluate it, make decisions, and act upon it. Khaled emphasized that these tactics are implemented systematically through disinformation, hoaxes, digital propaganda, exploitation of algorithms, and psychological operations. During his address at the 2026 Umno General Assembly, Khaled outlined the ministry's proactive stance against such threats, noting that they pose a significant risk in eroding national identity and fueling religious and racial divisions.

The Defence Ministry is committed to developing an integrated strategy to address this formidable threat, focusing on bolstering Malaysia's "people's resilience" to reduce susceptibility to manipulation and societal division. Khaled cited Iran and Ukraine as examples of nations that have demonstrated resilience and difficulty in division despite facing attacks.

The Umno leader stressed that as a political party, Umno must promote mature, rational, and non-extreme politics to strengthen national resilience. He urged Umno leaders, who serve as community leaders, to prevent society from becoming easily influenced by divisive propaganda. Khaled reiterated that people's resilience is fundamentally about maintaining unity and avoiding extreme or easily swayed opinions based on propaganda designed to divide.

He stated that Umno would collaborate with the Armed Forces to enhance national resilience and ensure preparedness against any cognitive threats, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to safeguarding Malaysia's identity, thinking, and actions of the Malay community and Malaysian society.