Kuala lumpur: Countries bordering the Strait of Melaka must embark on a multinational defense cooperation by conducting stress tests and simulations in the strait to better prepare for potential geopolitical crises, an analyst said.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, geopolitical and international relations analyst Dr. Wan Zokhri Wan Idris emphasized the crucial need for preparedness as any disruption to the Strait of Melaka could have regional and global ramifications for seaborne trade. Although there is existing multinational cooperation among the littoral countries, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, their collaboration has mainly focused on combating piracy, human trafficking, and smuggling by sea.
Dr. Wan Zokhri suggested extending this cooperation to include scenarios involving military escalation in the South China Sea. He warned that a crisis escalation could prompt many shipping lines to reroute vessels, leading to longer transit times, higher freight costs, and disruptions to global supply chains. This would result in less efficient energy flows, increased transportation costs, and longer delivery times.
He further pointed out that the waters surrounding Indonesia are shallow and unsuitable for large-scale shipping, which would increase the time needed to transport goods and hinder Southeast Asian economies' growth. Comparing the Strait of Melaka with West Asia, Dr. Wan Zokhri noted that the strait is located in a relatively stable region, unlike the different geopolitical dynamics in West Asia involving Iran and the Gulf states.
The analyst also highlighted recent events in West Asia as a reminder of the importance of preparing for low-probability but high-impact scenarios. He referenced the COVID-19 pandemic experience, which showed limited coordination among governments, port operators, shipping companies, and security agencies, resulting in difficulties in generating concerted efforts during crises.
Beyond non-traditional security threats, Dr. Wan Zokhri urged greater attention to emerging risks such as cybersecurity, which could affect port operations and vessel navigation. He noted that cyber intrusions could manipulate digital navigation systems, leading to potential collisions or assisting seaborne criminals in hijacking vessels.
Dr. Wan Zokhri also discussed the strategic importance of the Strait of Melaka in light of prolonged instability in West Asia, including the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. He remarked that the strait serves as the only connector between Asian and Western economies, and any disruption would shock the global economy.
He further observed that while the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Melaka are often discussed separately, they anchor a single economic corridor, especially for energy transport sustaining East Asia's industrial production. This situation has led China to push its Belt and Road Initiative as an alternative to the vulnerabilities of international waters.
Looking ahead, Dr. Wan Zokhri stressed that no single country possesses the full capabilities to safeguard the strait, which stretches from Thailand to Singapore. He concluded that long-term security and resilience in the Strait of Melaka require governance involving all littoral states and can only be achieved through collaboration among the countries bordering the strait.