Happy Merdeka Sarawak

Come tomorrow, Sarawak celebrates her 53rd independence day from British Colonial rule on 22nd July 1963.  And tomorrow's celebration is the first to be held on the momentous day since 1963.

Personally, the celebration has brought a flood of ambivalent feeling to myself. 

As a Malaysian, the date has no historical meaning attached to it.  The date was never recognised by Sarawak government since formation of Malaysia.  And the Education Ministry did not include it in History syllabus.

Defence Procurement Policy - Local Defence Industry

In my most recent article on defence procurement policy (published 6 May 2016), I have touched lightly on local defence industry. This is not due to dearth of information on local defence industry. Contrary, the industry today is very much alive and would probably be a key economic driver for Malaysia in 3 years time. Sound optimistic? Yes, and I'm still trying to be conservative in my outlook.

Ten years ago, you can basically count with your fingers the number of key players in the defence industry. Today, this number has grown.

Many of these companies came to promote their products during the recent DSA. Though in terms of floor space taken up shows a slight decline in number of exhibitors, the quality of local display has increased significantly.

Previously, local players were only involved as middlemen peddling products from big international players. This time, local players had also brought in homegrown products which received rather good review. Some of these were rather sophisticated. At least 1 product had received offer for international joint-venture and marketing from a very well-established international firm.

Irony, Danger and Fear

I believe many of you have woken up to find this message in either your whatsapp inbox or Facebook.

This message which claims that these are confirmed locations where Daish will be striking and had been confirmed by Malaysian Government.

PDRM 9 - Daish 1

So it has begun.  Daish has launched its first successful attack in Malaysia, specifically in Puchong.  And my analysis on the Puchong attack was wrong.

But many Malaysians have expressed scepticism.

Post Analysis of Fall of Fallujah

Looks like the analysis on fall of Fallujah is similar to what Matthew Henman of IHS Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Centre and Brian Michael Jenkins of RAND think tank have shared to international media. Do have a read here and compare against my article here. I will share article once I find a more suitable medium.

Protecting Sabah

Giving credit to where it is due.

What was once a scourge for Sabahans is now slowly becoming a thing of a past.

Young Men Die Fighting Old Men's War

There is a saying, young men die fighting old men's war. That saying can never be so true.

The recent release of 4 Sarawakian sailors by kidnap-for-ransom group (recent events and info points to possibly a different KFR group and not Abu Sayyaf Group which I will elaborate further) has reignited calls for Malaysian government to send armed combat troops into Southern Mindanao to destroy Abu Sayyaf Group.  Read it here.

This also coincide with Armed Forces of Philippines deployment of 5,000 ground troops to deal with the Abu Sayyaf, which is conservatively estimated at most 500 men.