| Hakim Hayat |
THE prevalence of security threats in multiple and complex forms in the face of a fast-paced technological evolution calls for greater vigilance and robustness from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the RBAF said yesterday.
In a titah delivered during a grand parade to mark the occasion of the RBAF’s 56th Anniversary at the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) Base in Muara, His Majesty warned of pervasive threats in the cyberage such as radicalisation and extremism, stemming from deviant sources.
“They are spreading their influences through various means, to persuade communities to sympathise with them and support their objectives. Military personnel are not exempt from the risks of these deviant ideologies,” said His Majesty.
“In its 56 years, RBAF has played the role of maintaining national peace and sovereignty. This responsibility is very serious and also difficult to conform to, particularly in today’s world without boundaries,” His Majesty further noted, while calling for all RBAF personnel to brace themselves against all unwelcome elements.
The monarch also cited a comprehensive understanding of religion as a preventive measure against extremism, while also emphasising the importance of upholding the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) values in everyday life.
His Majesty also highlighted on the importance of social media ethics and vigilant monitoring as a counter-measure against destructive groups attempting to spread their radical ideologies among communities.
Rising Cyber Threats
The monarch also described cyber threats as another threat to national security.
“In this digital age, the Internet plays an important role in fulfilling our needs, including those at the Ministry of Defence (MinDef) and the RBAF; as a result, the risks associated with cybersecurity are very high indeed, which are liable to be exploited by irresponsible parties,” said His Majesty, while also noting the measures undertaken by MinDef in cybersecurity enhancement, as a step to further strengthen its defences.
Prioritisation in Maintenance of Defence Assets and Capacity Building
Taking into account the vast range of complex security threats, the monarch called on the RBAF to boost its strategies by devising a more proactive and competent means of management, particularly in the maintenance of RBAF’s assets and capacity building within its personnel. “I hope that its sense of readiness will be at the highest level, so that the RBAF’s role can be established more effectively,” said His Majesty.
His Majesty also underlined the need for a comprehensive prioritisation exercise and equipment care at MinDef, to allow for the optimal utilisation of existing budget allocations.
Holistic Security Strategy and Defence Diplomacy
In the scope of national cooperation in security, His Majesty urged both MinDef and the RBAF to continuously work together with domestic security agencies in the employment of holistic security strategies.
The monarch also underscored the importance of cooperation with overseas partners, stating his confidence that this can be achieved through existing platforms available both regionally and internationally.
At the same time, His Majesty also praised the involvement of the RBAF in the international arena, such as the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao, Philippines, as well the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“The placement of RBAF personnel in the Information Fusion Centre and the Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre in Singapore also signifies Brunei Darussalam’s commitment in regional security,” said His Majesty.
Asean Direct Communications Hotline Infrastructure for Maritime Security
His Majesty also praised the RBAF’s initiatives at Asean level, especially under the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), while announcing that Asean Defence Ministers are scheduled to launch the Asean Direct Communications Hotline Infrastructure by the end of this year.
“I believe that this will further reinforce the response mechanisms and assistance in the event of emergencies, particularly those related to maritime security,” said His Majesty.
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