Operating and working in silos is no longer an option in the face of the evolving and uncertain environment in which we find ourselves.
Communicating and sharing information has become imperative, especially for crisis resolution, anticipating requirements, and in advancing a more informed society.
How many individuals possess a comprehensive understanding of the National Security Policy (NSP) and the wide-ranging implications it carries? Why is it essential for us to understand the NSP? What does the Whole of Government, Whole of Society (WoGoS) entail? How do Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA) factor into this equation? Are we sufficiently aware that security is no longer exclusively the domain of the military and the police, but instead, extends to civil society?
Recognising that the responsibility for ensuring security has evolved beyond traditional defence and law enforcement entities is crucial. In today’s complex and interconnected world, various actors in civil society, including individuals, communities, and organisations, play a vital role in maintaining and promoting security.
By acknowledging this paradigm shift, we can foster a broader understanding of the shared responsibility and collective action required from all segments of society to address contemporary security challenges effectively.
It is crucial to ascertain the awareness and knowledge among the populace regarding the NSP. This policy framework is pivotal in safeguarding a nation’s security interests. The NSP encompasses various dimensions, such as defence, intelligence, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism, and serves as a strategic roadmap for ensuring national security.
By assessing the extent to which the general population is familiar with the NSP and comprehends its implications, we can identify gaps in public awareness and devise targeted initiatives to promote a better understanding of this significant policy.
Unfortunately, security awareness is often lacking, to the extent that it is overlooked in most policy planning considerations, despite the expanding security landscape affecting our daily lives, from cyber security to human security.
The National Resilience College (NRC) has the platform to bridge the current gap in security strategy and the Whole of Government, Whole of Society (WoGoS) approach. As the only organisation extensively analysing the National Security Policy while emphasising the significance of WoGoS, NRC is well-positioned to lead in this area.
The widespread impact of the pandemic has provided valuable insights, underscoring the importance of implementing and understanding WoGoS. We should pursue our national objectives and agenda with greater cohesion.
NRC should serve as a platform for promoting shared values and crucial policies that benefit the country, involving public officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders. This forum should encourage discussions on innovative ideas, improvements to existing policies, and initiating new policies and action plans as part of a national effort to achieve better outcomes.
Although NRC is a relatively new organisation, taking a bold and decisive step to challenge the norm, adapt to constant changes, and prepare for uncertainty is crucial.
NRC must nurture a generation of senior officers who actively contribute to the evolution and act as catalysts for change. This is the essence of our existence.
Maj Gen Datuk Nizam Jaffar is a career military officer. He has served in the Malaysian Armed Forces in various capacities for over 39 years, including as Commander of the Malbatt 2 peacekeeping battalion in Lebanon, an Aide De Camp to His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XIV, as Commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, and was responsible for the successful opening and closing ceremonies of the Perak Sukma Games in 2018. He is the Commandant of the National Resilience College in Putrajaya.
The views expressed here is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
