Beyond deterrence: Why Malaysia needs an 'all hands-on deck' security strategy

Malaysia's evolving threat landscape requires a broader national security framework that combines government capability, societal resilience and collective regional cooperation, writes First Admiral Abdul Jamal Mohd Nasir.

Malaysia’s evolving threat environment – ranging from traditional state-based military threats to hybrid, grey-zone and non-traditional threats such as cyber intrusions, economic coercion, disinformation campaigns, natural disasters and transnational crime – has challenged conventional deterrence-based measures that rely heavily on military power, state-centric threat models and clearly defined adversaries.

These threats are hybrid in nature, operating between the thresholds of peace and armed conflict. They exploit blurred lines in laws, policies and institutions while targeting vulnerabilities in social cohesion, governance legitimacy and critical infrastructure rather than engaging in direct armed confrontation.

To navigate this increasingly complex landscape, Malaysia has adopted the Comprehensive Security (COMSEC) doctrine and resilience concepts in its National Security Policy 2021-2025.

This approach represents a transition from a state-centric security model towards a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach, commonly known as WOGOS.

WOGOS has become Malaysia’s framework to address threats against its nine National Security Core Values. However, studies suggest implementation remains fragmented, reactive and weakly institutionalised.

While traditional theoretical and conceptual frameworks remain common methods of analysing national security challenges, reframing WOGOS through a different lens – such as a mathematical metaphor – may simplify the concept, improve understanding, encourage problem-solving and foster wider participation in the national security agenda.

Understanding the WOGOS approach

In simple terms, WOG refers to the Whole-of-Government approach, while WOS refers to the Whole-of-Society approach. WOGOS represents policies and strategic plans linking both components.

To magnify the effectiveness of this formula, an additional multiplier may be required.

Metaphorically, an effective WOGOS approach can be expressed as:

Effective WOGOS = (DIMEFIL + TEPIS) x CBM

DIMEFIL as the Whole-of-Government approach

The DIME framework – Diplomatic, Information, Military and Economic – is traditionally used as an instrument of national power to influence or coerce other states in pursuit of national objectives.

However, additional instruments represented by FIL – Financial, Intelligence and Law Enforcement – should be incorporated to strengthen the Whole-of-Government approach.

These additional elements can help disrupt hostile financial networks, integrate intelligence capabilities for better decision-making and strengthen legal enforcement mechanisms.

Given Malaysia’s position as a middle power, the DIMEFIL model is particularly suitable.

TEPIS as the Whole-of-Society approach

Evolving threats increasingly target society itself.

The TEPIS model – derived from the Malay word meaning to evade or deflect an attack, traditionally associated with silat – should therefore complement the WOG approach.

TEPIS consists of five pillars: Trust, Empowerment, Partnership, Inclusivity and Social Cohesion.

Public trust in the Constitution, institutions and governance structures is essential.

Empowerment enables society to participate in decision-making processes, allowing countermeasures to be implemented more effectively and rapidly.

Partnerships allow society to contribute expertise and resources through collaboration.

Inclusivity ensures all segments of society participate in achieving common goals.

As a multiracial, multilingual and multireligious country, Malaysia also requires strong social cohesion to withstand attempts to fracture unity and destabilise society.

Confidence-building measures as the force multiplier

Confidence-building measures (CBMs) are essential in strengthening cooperation, interoperability and trust among WOGOS stakeholders.

Dialogues, table-top exercises and joint operations are examples of such measures.

As a force multiplier, CBMs enhance the effectiveness of WOGOS by improving coordination and cooperation among stakeholders.

Without strong CBMs, WOGOS risks becoming ineffective.

Effective WOGOS = (DIMEFIL + TEPIS) x CBM

Finding other force multipliers

Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, as well as innovation, research and development, and indigenous products, should also be considered additional force multipliers capable of strengthening the existing framework.

Collective WOGOS

Malaysia cannot operate alone. Through collective cooperation, particularly with Asean neighbours and trusted strategic partners, the impact of WOGOS can be strengthened exponentially.

Collective WOGOS is greater than effective WOGOS.

Collective WOGOS = (DIMEFIL + TEPIS) x CBM x+1

Here, x+1 represents the combined contribution of Malaysia’s WOGOS framework with those of other WOGOS actors and partners.

The way forward – all hands-on deck

National security requires everyone to be on board.

Reframing existing national security strategies may help explain national priorities more clearly, spark imagination and innovation, and encourage wider public participation.

The search for additional force multipliers must continue to strengthen both deterrence credibility and national resilience.

Malaysia must also develop its own indigenous security model.

From a practitioner’s perspective, the TEPIS model is both simple and workable. However, for any framework to gain credibility, it must undergo rigorous academic evaluation and refinement.

The question now is whether Malaysia is prepared to take that next step.

First Admiral Abdul Jamal Mohd Nasir RMN is an officer in the Royal Malaysian Navy and is currently attending the National Resilience College at the National Centre for Defence Studies, PUSPAHANAS, Putrajaya.

The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not represent that of Twentytwo13.