KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry (Mindef) hopes to establish a new branch to defend the country's cyber capacity and electromagnetic domain from external threats.
Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the establishment was imperative as the threats in the cyber domain in the country are increasing.
"Aside from ensuring defence readiness on land, sea and air, Mindef will also build capability and capacity in the cyber and electromagnetic domain.
"This is because if the threats are left unchecked, it will risk and ruin the national defence (that we have)," he said when delivering a new year's message at Wisma Pertahanan, today.
Also present were Deputy Minister Adly Zahari and secretary-general Datuk Sri Muez Abdul Aziz.
Mohamad added that the proposal would be given full attention by the ministry to ensure the country is safe from the increasing cyber threats.
"This was initially proposed by the Armed Forces chief during the 89th Malaysian Armed Forces Day that a new branch is to be established to strengthen the country's cyber capacity and electromagnetic domain.
"As a minister, I feel responsible and see this as a good effort for the country's national security. It is the right step and I hope it will be successfully implemented for the country's good development in the future," he said.