Merdeka means the readiness to fight for freedom

Every year, Malaysians gather to celebrate Merdeka with parades, fireworks and patriotic songs. But the road to independence was not an easy one. It was marked by conflict and struggle – a reminder that freedom is fragile and must be guarded.

As the Jalur Gemilang flutters this Merdeka, the nation should reflect on what independence really means. It is not only about self-governance and unity but also about the ability to protect our sovereignty. Independence without security is vulnerable, and in today’s world, credible defence capabilities are essential – something Malaysia has been lacking.

For decades, Malaysia has taken pride in being a peaceful nation that avoids military adventurism. Diplomacy, regional cooperation and non-alignment earned international respect. But this approach has also bred complacency. Defence budgets have barely kept pace with evolving threats.

In Budget 2024, the Ministry of Defence was allocated RM19.7 billion – about 1 per cent of Malaysia’s GDP of RM1.93 trillion, based on government data. While higher than last year, it remains modest compared with our neighbours. The Royal Malaysian Navy is finally set to receive Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) after years of delay. Originally contracted in 2011, Malaysia’s largest military programme was hampered by cost overruns, specification changes and design approval issues. With additional government funding, the first vessel is now expected in 2026, with the rest delivered by 2029.

To complement the LCS, Malaysia has acquired three Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) from Turkey, with delivery projected between mid-2026 and late 2027, and 18 FA-50 light combat aircraft from South Korea by 2026. These are important steps but remain modest compared with the pace of regional military modernisation. Singapore continues to allocate more than 3 per cent of its GDP to defence, equipping its forces with advanced air and naval platforms. Indonesia’s efforts, though smaller in scale, have been notably ambitious. In 2022, the country signed a US$8.1 billion deal to acquire 42 Dassault Rafale fighters, with the first six expected in early 2026. In 2024, Indonesia also secured a contract to procure two Scorpène submarines to be built domestically.

An even greater challenge comes from China’s assertiveness in theSouth China Sea. While China remains an important partner and disputes are discussed through diplomacy, Chinese vessels continue to encroach into Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone at the oil-rich Luconia Shoals. These are deliberate shows of force. Among them is the 12,000-tonne Zhaotou-class coast guard cutter, the largest of its kind in the world. By comparison, Malaysia’s upcoming LCS displaces only 3,100 tonnes, and half of Malaysia’s 49 vessels are beyond their serviceable lifespan. The imbalance shows Malaysia is increasingly outmatched in its own backyard.

Malaysia’s cautious approach has roots in history. Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad once argued that development and poverty eradication should take priority over military spending. Today, with a larger economy and more complex threats, this rationale seems outdated.

Although Malaysia does not aspire to be a military nation, it cannot afford to fall too far behind. Our leaders must understand that defence assets are not for waging wars of aggression but for deterrence, safeguarding borders and ensuring sovereignty. In an age of rising great-power competition in the South China Sea, transnational crimes, cyberthreats and drone intrusions, credible defence is as much about prevention as it is about protection.

Merdeka means peace, but peace is never guaranteed. It must be defended with planning, investment and readiness. For Malaysia, that means recognising that independence is more than a legacy of the past. It is a responsibility for the present and the future. To honour Merdeka is to ensure that the nation has the means to guard its hard-won freedom.

Selamat Hari Merdeka.