BANGKOK, 8 July 2025 – The Young Leaders Forum between the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) has successfully opened a new strategic avenue to strengthen regional defence diplomacy. Held at Naresuan Hall, RTARF Headquarters, the forum marked a key engagement during the official visit of Malaysia’s Chief of Defence Force, General Tan Sri Haji Mohd Nizam bin Haji Jaffar, to Thailand.
Also present was RTARF Chief, General Songwit Noonpackdee, who witnessed the discussions themed “Perspectives of RTARF and MAF Young Leaders on Defence Diplomacy”. This initiative reflects both nations’ firm commitment to enhancing long-term regional defence cooperation.
The forum brought together mid-level officers – Lieutenant Colonels and Majors – from both militaries, with a focus on the role of young leaders in expanding defence diplomacy to address non-traditional security threats.
Regional Disaster Response and Countering Disinformation Take Centre Stage. Two central topics were presented during the forum:
1. Enhancing Regional Cooperation in Natural Disaster Response
This session was delivered by Commander Chodiwatt Thiranaitechatat and Major Jidapa Arpornpattanapong (RTARF), alongside Lieutenant Commander Mohd Rashidi bin Azman (RMN) and Major Mohd Husni bin Mohd Tarmizi (RMAF).
The discussion stressed the importance of regional unity in responding to natural disasters, citing the Joint Combined Exercise THAMAL, flood early warning systems, and humanitarian operations in Myanmar and the Philippines. Several actionable proposals were put forward to boost readiness and joint operational efficiency.
2. Countering Misinformation
This topic was jointly presented by Lieutenant Colonel Panupong Nawaratpirom and Major Tuptim Jarusreni (RTARF), together with Commander Mohd Khairul Jamal bin Hamad (RMN) and Lieutenant Colonel Khairul Ashmawi bin Abdul Latif (MAF).
The panel explored threats from disinformation, malinformation, and misinformation, highlighting their destabilising impact on regional security. Key recommendations included the formation of a joint ASEAN narrative, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and youth engagement to strengthen information resilience.
Reinforcing ASEAN Security Through Youth Leadership
The forum showcased the crucial role of emerging military leaders in advancing regional cooperation and shaping long-term defence diplomacy between Malaysia and Thailand. The event concluded with a gift exchange and group photo session, symbolising the continued bilateral commitment.
Also in attendance were:
Major General Dato’ Indera Zahari bin Mohd Ariffin, Assistant Chief of Staff for Defence Operations and Training;
Major General Dato’ Ts. Reizal Arif bin Tan Sri Ismail, Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel Services;
Brigadier General Mohd Rafi bin Muhammad, Director General of the Defence Operations Division;
Brigadier General Samsul Rizal bin Musa, Malaysian Defence Attaché to Thailand; alongside senior RTARF officers.
𝗕𝗨𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗧𝗠 : 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗨𝗠 𝗣𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗨𝗗𝗔 𝗔𝗧𝗠 & 𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗙 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗞𝗨𝗞𝗨𝗛 𝗗𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗜 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗨
BANGKOK, 8 Julai 2025 – Forum Pemimpin Muda antara Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) dan Angkatan Tentera Diraja Thailand (RTARF) telah berjaya membuka ruang strategik untuk mempereratkan kerjasama diplomasi pertahanan antara dua negara jiran menerusi sesi yang berlangsung di Naresuan Hall, Ibu Pejabat RTARF.
Forum ini diadakan sempena Lawatan Kerja Rasmi Panglima Angkatan Tentera (PAT) ke Thailand, bertemakan “Perspectives of RTARF and MAF Young Leaders on Defence Diplomacy”, dan disaksikan oleh Jeneral Tan Sri Haji Mohd Nizam bin Haji Jaffar serta Panglima Angkatan Tentera Diraja Thailand, Jeneral Songwit Noonpackdee. Inisiatif ini mencerminkan komitmen jitu kedua-dua negara dalam memperkukuhkan jaringan pertahanan serantau secara berterusan.
Disertai oleh pegawai berpangkat Leftenan Kolonel dan Mejar setaraf dari kedua-dua angkatan tentera, forum ini memberi tumpuan kepada peranan pemimpin muda dalam memperluaskan hubungan diplomasi pertahanan, khususnya dalam menangani cabaran keselamatan bukan tradisional.
Dua topik utama telah dibentangkan dalam forum tersebut. Topik pertama, “Enhancing Regional Cooperation in Natural Disaster Response”, telah disampaikan oleh Commander Chodiwatt Thiranaitechatat dan Major Jidapa Arpornpattanapong dari RTARF, bersama Leftenan Komander Mohd Rashidi bin Azman TLDM dan Mejar Mohd Husni bin Mohd Tarmizi TUDM dari ATM.
Pembentangan ini menekankan keperluan kesepakatan serantau dalam menghadapi bencana alam, dengan mengambil contoh pelaksanaan latihan Joint Combined Exercise THAMAL, sistem amaran awal banjir, serta operasi bantuan kemanusiaan di Myanmar dan Filipina. Beberapa cadangan turut dikemukakan bagi meningkatkan kecekapan dan kesiapsiagaan bersama.
Topik kedua, “Countering Misinformation”, telah dibentangkan oleh Lieutenant Colonel Panupong Nawaratpirom dan Major Tuptim Jarusreni dari RTARF, bersama Komander Mohd Khairul Jamal bin Hamad TLDM dan Leftenan Kolonel Khairul Ashmawi bin Abdul Latif dari ATM.
Perbincangan ini menyentuh pelbagai bentuk ancaman maklumat termasuk disinformation, malinformation, dan misinformation yang boleh menjejaskan kestabilan serantau. Antara cadangan yang diketengahkan ialah pembentukan naratif bersama ASEAN, perkongsian risikan, serta penglibatan komuniti dan belia dalam memperkukuh daya tahan maklumat.
Forum ini telah berjaya menonjolkan peranan penting pemimpin muda dalam menyokong kerjasama pertahanan jangka panjang antara ATM dan RTARF, selain memperteguhkan semangat serantau. Majlis diakhiri dengan pertukaran cenderahati dan sesi bergambar sebagai simbolik iltizam berterusan kedua-dua negara.
Turut hadir dalam acara ini ialah Asisten Ketua Staf Operasi dan Latihan Pertahanan, Mejar Jeneral Dato’ Indera Zahari bin Mohd Ariffin; Asisten Ketua Staf Perkhidmatan Anggota, Mejar Jeneral Dato’ Ts. Reizal Arif bin Tan Sri Ismail; Ketua Pengarah Cawangan Operasi Pertahanan, Brigedier Jeneral Mohd Rafi bin Muhammad; dan Atase Pertahanan Malaysia di Thailand, Brigedier Jeneral Samsul Rizal bin Musa, serta pegawai-pegawai kanan RTARF.
Berita : BRKSP.
Gambar : Pejabat PAT.