ISEAS Perspective: Malaysia Reassesses Security – The Mid-Term Review of the Malaysian Defense White Paper

Members of the Malaysian army take part in the 68th National Day celebrations in Putrajaya on 31 August 2025 | Photo by Mohd RASFAN/AFP

In this paper published by NYSEAN Partner ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Cheng-Chwee Kuik analyzes Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence’s Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the 2019 Defence White Paper in September 2025. The MTR reassesses the changing security environment, reinforces the key strategies of the DWP, and reaffirms the government’s commitment to defending Malaysian security and sovereign interests.

Cheng-Chwee Kuik is Professor in International Relations, Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), National University of Malaysia (UKM). He was a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.