Defence Minister Warns Troops Against Sharing Sensitive Information on Social Media
TAWAU|| June 29: Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has reminded members of the Malaysian Armed Forces to exercise caution when using social media, particularly by refraining from posting any sensitive information related to national security.
Speaking after officiating the Tawau 2025 Civil-Military Cooperation Carnival at the Tawau Sports Complex on Sunday, the minister stressed that even well-intentioned posts about training exercises or military equipment could inadvertently reveal key strategic details.
“Sometimes, in their eagerness to showcase training or equipment, personnel may unintentionally reveal where such assets are stored. This could expose our strengths to those with ill intent,” he said.
The defense minister expressed confidence that military commanders would continue to provide clear and firm guidance to ensure responsible social media usage among troops.
His comments came a day after His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, also warned military personnel against disclosing sensitive information on social platforms, particularly details concerning troop movements and operations.
Mohamed Khaled also underscored the government’s ongoing commitment to bolstering national defense through the acquisition of advanced and tailored military assets.
“These are not off-the-shelf purchases,” he noted. “They are custom-designed to suit the operational needs of our Armed Forces—across land, sea, and air—to ensure efficiency and strategic deployment.”
Key procurements include
- 18 FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea
- Three littoral mission ships (LMS)
- Continued construction of littoral combat ships (LCS)
- The acquisition of advanced radar systems
He also revealed plans to replace the static Tun Sharifah Rodziah forward operating base with a more modern and mobile facility, expected to be completed by next year to better suit current operational requirements.
Reflecting on global security tensions, Mohamed Khaled cited ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran-Israel, and India-Pakistan, stressing the urgent need for Malaysia to prioritize technology-driven defense assets.
He added that Malaysia remains vigilant over rising tensions in the South China Sea, which continues to be a “serious concern” for regional security.
“The government is committed to maintaining balanced defense preparedness across Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
This comes as Malaysia continues to modernize its defense infrastructure amid evolving global and regional threats, ensuring the country’s sovereignty and security remain safeguarded.