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Articles by Tharishini Krishnan
Missiles Over Fleets: How A2/AD is Redefining Maritime Power in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is quietly entering a new strategic era, one defined not by the size of a navy’s fleet, but by the range of its missiles. Across the region, an emerging pattern is becoming visible. Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia are each moving rapidly to establish anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) postures. For some, the shift is born out of necessity, for others it is an assertion of sovereignty in an increasingly congested and contested maritime environment.
Imperative to embed climate change in defence plans
THE launch of the Mid-term Review of Malaysia's Defence White Paper recently underscored how the nation's strategic environment has grown more complex. The Defence White Paper describes Malaysia as a maritime nation, whose security and prosperity are inseparable from the seas that surround it. With a vast Exclusive Economic Zone, critical sea lines of communication and vulnerable island outposts, Malaysia's defence is more exposed to the changing oceans than many continental states.
Govt should explain defence spending in simple terms
THE tragic crash of an F/A-18D Hornet in Kuantan has once again placed Malaysia's air capability under scrutiny. The incident highlights an uncomfortable truth — the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) front-line fighters are ageing fast and the risks of relying on them are only increasing. Malaysia's combat aircraft inventory has been stretched for years. The Sukhoi Su-30MKM remains a capable platform but has faced long periods of grounding due to spare parts shortages and limited budgets.
Rethinking Sea Basing in East Sabah – Understanding Malaysia’s Strategic Shift to Mobile Maritime Platforms | Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
In early May this year, the Malaysian government considered replacing the Tun Sharifah Rodziah static offshore forward operating base with a Mobile Offshore Base (MOB). This shift in thinking is not merely a logistical upgrade but a timely and strategic recalibration of the country’s maritime security architecture.
Leverage defence heritage to boost tourism | New Straits Times
THE tourism industry has generally embraced niche segments that align with cultural heritage and national identity. In the same spirit, we should now go for defence tourism by leveraging military-related assets such as historical fortresses, battlefield sites, war museums and military exhibitions as attractions. It constitutes a unique blend of heritage, historical education and national pride.
Malaysia's economy, defence can gain from Indo-Pacific initiatives
When Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Was Sworn in As Prime Minister on Nov 24, He Received Congratulatory Messages From Leaders. United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken tweeted that Washington looked forward to strengthening its comprehensive partnership and advancing a more "sustainable, secure, inclusive, and prosperous Malaysia and Indo Pacific".
Policing Malaysia’s maritime border
As Malaysia’s bureaucracy looks to streamline maritime law enforcement, it should draw on lessons from the creation of the Australian Border Force to help it create a coherent, unified agency, Tharishini Krishnan writes. Located along one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, the Strait of Malacca, and with claims to parts of the strategically significant South China Sea, maritime law enforcement is a significant component of Malaysia’s national security policy.
The Future of ASEAN Maritime Security Cooperation
Author: Tharishini Krishnan, National Defence University Malaysia The ‘maritime security’ buzzphrase emerged in the late 1990s following the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Combating Transnational Crime during the 1998 Hanoi Declaration. But the term focused broadly on piracy and armed robbery or transnational crime rather than on maritime security specifically.
Time to set up HQ Naval Region 4
MALAYSIA has affirmed its status as a "maritime nation" in the 2019 Defence White Paper (DWP). Keeping this in mind, there is a convincing need for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to constantly construct its navy towards becoming a more resilient and forceful fleet. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the government to inaugurate the Headquarters (HQ) Naval Region 4 in Bintulu, Sarawak, also referred to as Markas Wilayah Laut 4 (MAWILLA 4).
Focus on defence against any aggressor
Though modest compared with China, Vietnam and the Philippines have been beefing up its air and maritime defence. The Vietnamese have been rapidly developing the West Reef and Sin Cowe Islands in the South China Sea (SCS) for the past two years.
Strengthening military assets vital
AS a maritime nation, the area of South China Sea is the biggest maritime flashpoint for Malaysia. Besides being connected to the world's major east-west trade routes, Malaysia is one of the claimant states of the Spratly Islands, also contested by Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei and China.
A lesson on safety
THE tragic loss of the Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala-402, which took the lives of 53 people on board, will reverberate throughout the military community for years to come. A routine naval exercise ended in catastrophe and the loss of not only a prized asset, but also the collective experience of the underwater specialists who spent years honing their knowledge and skills.
Malaysian Cabotage Policy Agitates Old Wounds in the Country’s East
ASEAN Beat | Politics | Southeast Asia Malaysia’s burdensome maritime regulations have put the question of autonomy for Sabah and Sarawak back on the agenda. A view of Westport at Port Klang, Malaysia’s primary international container port. Credit: Flickr/Blue Ship The word may not be familiar to many, but cabotage – the right to operate sea, air, or other transport services within a particular territory – is an emotive political subject in many countries.
Malaysia in the South China Sea: A Growing Mismatch Between Threat and Capabilities
The South China Sea is an important maritime area for Malaysia. Besides being connected to the world’s major east-west trade routes, Malaysia is one of the claimant states of the Spratly Islands. The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), however, is facing a growing mismatch between its naval capabilities and its interests in addressing maritime challenges in the South China Sea. The RMN underwent intense development in the 1970s and expanded its forces in the 1980s.
Rohingya crisis is not Malaysia's war to fight
THE Covid-19 pandemic impacts Malaysia in many ways. But the country's biggest was the Rohingya crisis.
COVID-19 Is Reshaping Border Security Enforcement in Malaysia
ASEAN Beat | Politics | Southeast Asia The government formed a National Task Force to harness security enforcement agencies under one coalition to address illegal entry to Malaysia during the pandemic. This article is free The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the COVID–19 crisis.
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