The Malaysian Security Approach

Andrew Humphreys

Research program: Mobility and Exclusion

"My thesis examines Malaysia’s security policy in both the historical and contemporary context with a particular focus on the post-September 11 era. It is argued that Malaysia has continued to use the same security apparatus first established in the Emergency period (1948-1960) with only a few alterations. This apparatus consists of a strong policy of coercion at the operational level, combined, somewhat paradoxically, with a “hearts and minds” approach designed to tackle the “root causes” of the threat. The thesis examines the Malaysian security model and the impact it has had on Malaysian politics and, increasingly, the wider world."