Govt launches initiative to boost defence literacy among Malaysians

The Malaysian government has introduced the National Defence Literacy Programme to improve public understanding of security, defence, and sovereignty matters, as well as to educate citizens on their potential contributions in these areas. Defence Minister Khaled Nordin inaugurated the programme at the Sabah International Convention Centre today, with its initial rollout in the Bornean state before eventual nationwide expansion.

The initiative aims to enhance public resilience in the face of evolving threats beyond traditional security concerns, as the nature of such challenges has expanded to encompass climate change, disasters, and cyberattacks.

Khaled Nordin emphasized that building a resilient society is crucial to bolstering national defence, stating that when people’s resilience is strengthened, it contributes towards credible defence and deterrence. He further explained that defending the nation's sovereignty is no longer solely the responsibility of the armed forces; rather, it is the collective duty of the entire Malaysian society.

The National Defence Literacy Programme seeks to equip every citizen with the necessary awareness, knowledge, and skills to understand the rationale behind defence-related policies and decisions.

This understanding aims to prevent Malaysians from being easily influenced by propaganda or provocation, particularly through the proliferation of misinformation on digital platforms. Khaled stressed that the importance of digital literacy should not be underestimated, as irresponsible use of technology could potentially jeopardize the country's sovereignty.

The programme will commence with various grassroots-level community activities organized by the Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security and the National Defence University of Malaysia.