Malaysia Armed Forces to add Cyber Force as fourth service by 2030

The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is set to introduce a Cyber Force as its fourth service by 2030, according to Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman. This strategic move aims to address the increasing significance of cyberspace and the electromagnetic domain in modern security threats. A dedicated team, known as the Cyber Force Nucleus Team, has been established to oversee planning, coordination, organizational transformation, and capability development for the force's official establishment.

The nucleus team will be officially launched by the Defence Minister during the MAF Day Carnival 2026 in Lumut, Perak. Malek Razak emphasized that this move is urgent and necessary, as other countries have already integrated this domain into their services. The MAF is also actively developing expertise in cyber and electromagnetic activities, with cyber capabilities, electronic warfare, and spectrum management operations already applied in practical terms during Exercise Camar Kilat Series 2/26.

Additionally, 60 officers and 17 other ranks from the Royal Malaysian Air Force have attended CEMA-related courses as of July. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin revealed that the Defence Ministry is developing plans for the Cyber Force to counter modern and cognitive warfare threats, driven by the shift of threats away from traditional physical combat towards domination of cyberspace and public perception.