The Military Competition Between Singapore and Malaysia in the 1960s–1990s
Keywords:
Singapore, Malaysia, Military Competition, Military CooperationAbstract
The development of the armed forces in Singapore and Malaysia was a result of unrest in Southeast Asia and the conflict between the two nations, particularly in the context of ethnicity, which was a crucial factor in Singapore’s expulsion from the Federation of Malaya. In light of these factors, the security policies of both nations focused on military competition. Singapore chose to build its armed forces by focusing on a defensive strategy, relying on the military assistance of foreign experts. In contrast, the Malaysian armed forces focused on suppressing both internal and external threats. However, the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967, as well as the foundation of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) in 1971, led Singapore and Malaysia to begin military cooperation in resisting common threats. Furthermore, the issue (problem) of piracy in the Malacca Strait during the 1990s prompted further military cooperation between the two nations. However, conflicts between both governments still continues, which directly affects their military policies, emphasizing the need to develop their armed forces to maintain a balance of power between the two nations.
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