In brief
In a parliamentary address on Tuesday, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the chief secretary and the central bank governor would separately meet with government departments and financial institutions to prepare for a range of security threats. The move follows recent cyberattacks and escalating tensions in the Middle East and Europe, which the PM warned could jeopardise national stability and the economy. The National Security Council also convened to review coordination mechanisms and readiness measures.
On Tuesday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the chief secretary of the government and the governor of the central bank will each hold separate sessions with government departments and financial institutions to brace the country for evolving security threats.
The announcement came amid warnings that recent cyberattacks that hit digital infrastructure across Europe and other parts of the Western world had prompted the European Union, Canada and Japan to advise their citizens to stockpile food. Anwar said Malaysia was responding to those directives, adding that the meetings would enable the public sector to coordinate its response.
The PM, speaking to parliament, highlighted several “ongoing developments” that could impact Malaysia, saying:
We are still monitoring other developments. They involve the tensions in the Middle East, developments in Yemen and the Red Sea, and security threats occurring in Europe. These show that crises abroad can also affect the safety of our people, our economic stability and our national interests.
Anwar added that the National Security Council had convened to discuss existing mechanisms, coordination among ministries, agencies and security forces, and the country’s overall preparedness for any eventuality. The council’s meeting is a confirmed step in the government’s response.
While the advisories from the European Union, Canada and Japan are cited by the Prime Minister, independent verification of those statements has not yet been reported. The focus of the current briefing remains on Malaysia’s internal readiness and coordination.
