2012-09-02 16:52:29 - New Defense research report from Business Monitor International is now available from Fast Market Research

BMI's Malaysia Defence and Security Report examines the country's strategic position in South East Asia and the wider region. It provides an overview of the challenges facing the country in the context of regional concerns centring on territorial disputes in the South China Sea, as well as potential domestic instability stemming from the Bersih movement for clean elections as the country gears up for national polls some time before April 2013.

The issue of corruption in the Malaysian defence establishment has already emerged as a key election issue, with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak abandoning plans to call early elections as he fights off allegations that a deal to procure French submarines dating back to the time when he was defence

minister involved large-scale bribery and even murder. Several other major procurement programmes are also under scrutiny.


Full Report Details at
- www.fastmr.com/prod/451329_malaysia_defence_security_report_q4_2 ..


These corruption cases may only convince the Bersih movement to intensify its campaign. However, the state may respond to further demonstrations with familiar heavy-handedness after it emerged that Najib's new Security Offences (Special Measures) Act may not be the historic shift away from the repressive Internal Security Act that he had promised earlier in the year. Many commentators have expressed disappointment with weaknesses in the legislation which, they argue, mean that the state retains the right to deal harshly with its opponents.

Regionally, Malaysia has remained largely on the sidelines of territorial disputes between China and some South East Asian countries, notably the Philippines and Vietnam. However, the situation has produced a serious rift within ASEAN, and that is a major concern for Malaysia and all the other members of the organisation, which has underpinned regional security for several decades.

Over the last quarter BMI has revised the following forecasts/views:

* As Malaysia prepares for its most eagerly anticipated elections in many years, BMI has examined Prime Minister Najib's decision to pull back from early elections, as well as his failure to deliver fully on his pledge to revise the country's internal security laws so as to allow more political space to the opposition.
* The scandal surrounding the acquisition of two French Scorpene submarines in 2002 - the main factor in Najib's decision against calling a snap election - is also discussed in detail. The controversy promises to have serious ramifications both for the defence sector, for the involvement of foreign firms in the Malaysian market, and also for domestic politics.
* The progress of several important military procurement programmes is updated. These include the acquisition of new airborne early warning and control aircraft, which is now likely to be handled ahead of the procurement of a new multirole combat aircraft. The three contenders for that contract - Boeing, Dassault and Eurofighter - are all jockeying for position for what is a relatively small, but still much coveted, order.

Partial Table of Contents:

SWOT Analysis
- Malaysia Security SWOT
- Malaysia Defence Industry SWOT
- Malaysia Political SWOT
- Malaysia Economic SWOT
- Malaysia Business Environment SWOT
Global Political Outlook
- No Respite From Political Risks
- Global Flashpoints: Eurozone, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, Korea
- Table: Election Timetable
- Wild Cards To Watch
South East Asia Security Overview
- The Strategic Outlook For The 2010s
- South East Asia In A Global Context
- Challenges And Threats To Stability And Security
- Main Islamist Militant Groups In South East Asia
- Other Regional Threats
- Sino-US Rivalry In South East Asia
- The Outlook For South East Asia
Security Risk Analysis
- Table: Asia Pacific Regional Security Ratings
- Table: Asia Pacific State Vulnerability To Terrorism Index
- Malaysia's Risk Ratings
Political Overview
- Domestic Politics
- Cash Handouts For Lower Income Groups A Bid To Boost Support
- Long-Term Political Outlook
- Race Relations Still Cloud The Horizon
- Threats And Challenges To Stability
- Scenarios For Political Change
Security Overview
- Internal Security Situation
- Table: Insurgent Groups
- External Security Situation
- Territorial Disputes
- Insurgent And Terrorist Activity
- Piracy
- Table: Piracy Attacks And Attempted Attacks, 1996-2006
- Bilateral And Multilateral Relations
Armed Forces And Government Spending
- Armed Forces
- Defence Budget
- International Deployment
- Weapons Of Mass Destruction
Market Overview
- Industry Trends And Developments
Industry Forecast Scenario
- Armed Forces
- Table: Malaysia's Armed Forces, 2002-2008 ('000 personnel, unless otherwise stated)
- Table: Malaysia's Manpower Available For Military Services, 2009-2016 (aged 16-49, unless otherwise stated)
- Defence Expenditure
- Table: Malaysia's Defence Expenditure, 2009-2016
- Table: Malaysia's Defence Expenditure Scenario - Changing % Of GDP, 2009-2016 (US$mn)
- Defence Trade
- Table: Malaysia's Defence Exports, 2009-2016 (US$mn)
- Table: Malaysia's Defence Imports, 2009-2016 (US$mn)
- Table: Malaysia's Defence Trade Balance, 2009-2016 (US$mn)
- Key Risks To BMI's Forecast Scenario
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Full Table of Contents is available at:
-- www.fastmr.com/catalog/product.aspx?productid=451329&dt=t

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Business Monitor International (BMI) offers a comprehensive range of products and services designed to help senior executives, analysts and researchers assess and better manage operating risks, and exploit business opportunities, across 175 markets. BMI offers three main areas of expertise: Country Risk BMI's country risk and macroeconomic forecast portfolio includes weekly financial market reports, monthly regional Monitors, and in-depth quarterly Business Forecast Reports. Industry Analysis BMI covers a total of 17 industry verticals through a portfolio of services, including in-depth quarterly Country Forecast Reports. View more research from Business Monitor International at www.fastmr.com/catalog/publishers.aspx?pubid=1010

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