The five challenges that stand out most to me:
i. Proliferation of DAESH’s Asia-Pacific ambitions and expanding global footprints
ii. Escalating tension and volatility in the Korean Peninsula
iii. Inconsistencies in the quest for hegemony over the South China Sea
iv. Democratisation of information flow : The punishing 24/7 news cycle, fake news and vulnerable cyber security infrastructure
v. The rise of authoritarian and populist nationalism sentiment as antithesis to globalization
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The most immediate challenge in my mind is meeting the on-going, but also rapidly evolving threat of the so-called “Islamic State” or DAESH. Although the situation in Syria and to a lesser extent, Iraq, remains tangled, especially from a political point of view - it cannot be denied that real military gains have been made against DAESH in the last couple of months.
This however then gives rise to the disturbing prospect that the Asia- Pacific is now in DAESH’s crosshairs. DAESH’s threat to our region is real and multidimensional, whether from returning fighters, regional franchises or more disturbingly, from self-radicalized lone wolves. There is a grave danger that existing fault-lines in our region will be exploited, as well as exacerbated by the increasingly insidious presence of DAESH. You are all of course no doubt aware of the recent attack in Manchester in the United Kingdom, Jakarta in Indonesia and Marawi in the Philippines. These incidents were horrible and involved the needless loss of innocent lives. To our British, Indonesian and Filipino friends: our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you. Malaysia stands in solidarity with you in your hour of need and will not falter. We will stand together firm, determined and ready to confront them decisively.
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