93rd Armed Forces Day: Focus on Core Values, Governance, and Readiness to Strengthen Defence Bulwark

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is reinforcing its role as the nation’s primary defence bulwark by balancing asset acquisition with personnel development, governance, and combat readiness to address an increasingly complex security environment.

Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman explained that this strategic direction is guided by three core values represented by the acronym ATM: Akhlak Teras (Core Values), Tatakelola Tuntas (Comprehensive Governance), and Martabat Tempur (Combat Credibility).

“Akhlak Teras serves as the foundation for developing MAF personnel, while Tatakelola Tuntas encompasses the management of human resources, assets, procurement and finances based on integrity, honesty and a sense of responsibility,” Malek Razak said in a special interview marking MAF Day. “Martabat Tempur, meanwhile, refers to the readiness and strength of the force to ensure that the MAF is capable of carrying out its duties and facing threats, both now and in the future.”

Malek Razak noted that these initiatives align directly with the Future Force Development Plan running through 2055. The long-term blueprint has entered its second phase (2026–2030) focusing on active force development, building on the structural and organizational redesign completed during the initial phase (2021–2025).

To guide operational focus, the MAF is implementing its ‘5D Strategy’—comprising Diplomacy, Detect, Deter, Deny, and Defeat. The approach prioritizes diplomatic engagement to mitigate conflict risks before transitioning to deterrence measures designed to impose strategic costs on adversaries. Should conflict become unavoidable, the Deny and Defeat components ensure the armed forces retain multi-domain operational capabilities to protect Malaysian sovereignty.

The anniversary celebrations, themed “Ketahanan ATM, Benteng Pertahanan Negara” (MAF Resilience, The Defence Bulwark), will feature the 2026 MAF Day Carnival on Sept 19–20 at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Base in Lumut, Perak. Public activities include military asset displays across land, sea, and air domains, special forces demonstrations, the MAF Combat Parade, RMN ship visits, and interactive family exhibitions.

–NMT