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Tuesday, April 29, 2025

India-Pakistan crisis and the shifting security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific

 

THE terrorist incident that occurred in Baisaran Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, resulting in the deaths of 26 Indian tourists and injuries to over 20 others, has reverberated throughout South Asia and beyond.

This attack marks the most lethal act of terrorism in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks and poses a significant risk of escalating the already delicate India-Pakistan relationship into open conflict.

Unlike previous confrontations, this situation carries heightened regional and global ramifications, especially for the Indo-Pacific, a region now acknowledged as the strategic epicentre of the 21st century.

Malaysia, positioned centrally within this shifting geopolitical landscape, cannot afford to remain a passive observer of this crisis.

The widening divide between India and Pakistan threatens to alter regional security dynamics, realign diplomatic partnerships, and challenge the relevance of ASEAN.

As tensions rise between these two nuclear-capable nations, the repercussions will inevitably extend throughout the Indo-Pacific, increasing the stakes for countries like Malaysia that are becoming more intertwined with the region’s economic and security frameworks.

A conflict that can no longer be contained

(Image: BBC/Seraj Ali)

In contrast to previous localised conflicts, the Kashmir crisis of 2025 has swiftly gained international dimensions.

Following the attack, India has halted the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and increased military presence along the Line of Control.

In retaliation, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian aircraft and has threatened to terminate bilateral agreements, including the Simla Agreement.

The rapid escalation of tensions has raised alarms not only in South Asia but also in major global capitals such as Washington, Beijing, and Moscow, as well as in key ASEAN nations.

In a time when global supply chains and security issues are intricately linked, the potential for war between India and Pakistan transcends regional boundaries.

Both nations play crucial roles in trade routes, energy corridors, and emerging security partnerships that extend from the Persian Gulf to the Pacific Ocean.

Consequently, a prolonged conflict or, even more alarmingly, a limited nuclear confrontation could disrupt the international security framework, destabilise global markets, and undermine years of diplomatic efforts in the region.

The Indo-Pacific: A fragile balancing act

The Indo-Pacific is already a region under strategic strain. The US-China rivalry has led to a proliferation of defence pacts and maritime alliances: the Quad (India, Japan, Australia, and the US), AUKUS, and ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific Outlook.

India is a cornerstone of many of these frameworks, especially as Western nations seek to counterbalance China’s growing influence. Any military confrontation involving India would divert its strategic focus inward and weaken the coherence of these multilateral groupings.

For Malaysia, this poses multiple dilemmas. As a founding member of ASEAN and a nation committed to a “neutral and non-aligned” foreign policy, Malaysia depends on a stable Indo-Pacific for its economic and security interests.

Over 80% of its trade flows through the Strait of Malacca, a choke point that could be impacted by any major conflict in the region.

Malaysia is also actively engaged in maritime security efforts in the South China Sea efforts that require regional cooperation, not fragmentation.

(Image: Al Jazeera English)

If India is drawn into a prolonged conflict with Pakistan, it may reduce its engagement with Indo-Pacific initiatives, thereby weakening the region’s collective security mechanisms.

China, conversely, could capitalise on the vacuum to deepen its influence in South and Southeast Asia tilting the power balance in ways that could be uncomfortable for middle powers like Malaysia.

Malaysia’s role in a new strategic equation

Malaysia must acknowledge that the ongoing India-Pakistan crisis serves as a critical evaluation of its diplomatic flexibility and significance within the region.

Traditionally, Malaysia has aimed to mediate and foster peace in international disputes, exemplified by its facilitation of discussions between conflicting parties in the Philippines and southern Thailand, as well as its advocacy for Palestine on a global platform.

At this juncture, Kuala Lumpur must deliberate on how it can effectively contribute to the de-escalation of tensions in South Asia while safeguarding its diplomatic relationships and avoiding geopolitical repercussions.

In recent years, Malaysia’s ties with India have significantly strengthened, highlighted by the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024 and a security dialogue in 2025 that emphasises counterterrorism and cybersecurity.

Concurrently, Malaysia enjoys amicable relations with Pakistan, often influenced by shared religious affiliations and economic collaboration.

Instead of aligning with one side, Malaysia ought to utilise its diplomatic influence to foster a regional dialogue within the framework of ASEAN.

Additionally, it can collaborate with allied nations such as Indonesia, Singapore, and Japan to advocate for a ceasefire and encourage the revival of bilateral discussions between India and Pakistan.

Most crucially, Malaysia should advocate for the revitalisation of multilateral conflict-resolution frameworks, including those facilitated by the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, both of which include India and Malaysia.

A wake-up call for ASEAN and the Global South

ASEAN
(Image: Reuters)

This crisis acts as a crucial reminder for ASEAN, whose principle of non-interference frequently obstructs prompt collective responses.

As the Indo-Pacific region becomes more militarised and unpredictable, ASEAN must transition from a passive consensus-builder to an active advocate for peace.

Malaysia, with its historical role in diplomatic leadership, can facilitate this transformation. Furthermore, the India-Pakistan conflict has the potential to involve external powers such as the US, China, and Russia, each with vested interests in the area.

If not managed effectively, this situation could escalate into a new form of Cold War-style proxy conflict, jeopardising smaller nations caught in the turmoil.

For the Global South, including Malaysia, the implications are significant: it is essential to avoid binary alliances and instead foster coalitions that emphasise regional autonomy, conflict resolution, and multilateral governance.

The Kashmir attack of 2025 represents not only a devastating act of terrorism but also a pivotal moment in strategic dynamics. In the context of the Indo-Pacific, it poses a risk to the fragile diplomatic and security frameworks established over the years.

For Malaysia, this situation offers both a challenge and a chance to emerge as a proponent of reason and reconciliation amid increasing instability.

By advocating for peace, maintaining neutrality, and strengthening regional collaboration, Malaysia can play a crucial role in navigating this crisis, benefiting not only itself but also a region whose future is precariously uncertain. 

R. Paneir Selvam is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, a think tank specialising in strategic national and geopolitical matters.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.

A sip of hot tea with a side of microplastics

 Authorities may need to conduct surveys to analyse the types of packaging materials used by restaurants. NSTP FILE PIC

When you buy hot tea or coffee at restaurants, they're typically delivered in plastic cups.

Hot drinks can cause plastic cups to leach chemicals such as polystyrene and polypropylene into the beverage.

Similarly, food is often delivered in plastic containers.

Even the paper used to wrap nasi lemak typically has a plastic lining. These materials can release microplastics into food and drinks, which may then enter the our bloodstream.

Authorities do regulate the composition of plastic food and drink containers.

However, the effectiveness of these regulations depends on how well they are enforced.

Authorities may need to conduct surveys to analyse the types of packaging materials used by restaurants.

Authorities should remind restaurant owners, consumers and enforcement agencies that studies have shown higher levels of microplastics in the blood of people who frequently use plastic food containers.

But plastic containers aren't the only way microplastics enter our bodies. We're also exposed to microplastics through inhalation and skin contact.

What impact do microplastics have on human health?

In addition to their potential link to cancer, microplastics may affect cardiovascular health, trigger inflammation, and interfere with blood clotting.

Could microplastics be contributing to the rising prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Malaysia? The prevalence of CKD in Malaysia rose from 9.1 per cent in the 2011 National Health and Morbidity Survey to 15.5 per cent in 2018.

If this trend continues, the number of end-stage kidney disease patients may reach 106,000 by 2040 — costing the healthcare system RM3.2 billion annually.

Microplastics in the bloodstream travel through the organs. The kidneys act as filters, removing toxic substances from the blood.

Microplastics may attach to human cells, including nephrons — the kidney's filtering units — during the filtration process.

Over time, microplastic buildup in nephrons could impair their ability to filter waste from the blood.

The increase in CKD cases may be linked to frequent consumption of food and drinks from plastic packaging.

This is a hypothesis worth testing with empirical evidence.

Suppose microplastics from plastic containers do contribute to CKD in Malaysia.

Policymakers would then need to address the root cause and curb the rise of CKD to ease the healthcare burden. - NST


tarique@um.edu.my

* The writer, Dr Mohammad Tariqur Rahman  is the Deputy Executive Director (Development, Research & Innovation) at International Institute of Public Policy and Management (INPUMA), Universiti Malaya.

Persons behind Jalur Gemilang error in SPM report identified, says govt chief secretary

 

PUTRAJAYA: The individuals responsible for the inaccurate display of Jalur Gemilang images in the recent Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Examination Results Analysis Report have been identified, says Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar (pic).

The Chief Secretary to the Government said that an investigation was currently underway, and appropriate actions will be taken in accordance with the Public Service Department (PSD) Disciplinary Board's procedures.

He added that those involved have been identified and divided into two groups: those above and below Grade 48.

"Officers below Grade 48 will be managed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), while those above Grade 48 will face action from the PSD,” he told reporters after officiating the closing of the Southeast Asia Anti-Corruption Conference here on Tuesday (April 29).

He further explained that the actions to be taken will be in accordance with the regulations outlined in the General Orders and the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations of 1993.

Earlier on Tuesday, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said that an internal investigation into the inaccurate display of the Jalur Gemilang in the SPM Examination Results Analysis Report was still underway.

She called for the cooperation of all parties, urging them to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.

On April 24, images of the Jalur Gemilang, inaccurately generated by artificial intelligence (AI), were displayed on pages 14 and 15 of the analysis report.

In response, the ministry issued an apology for the error, instructed that the printed analysis report be recalled, and initiated immediate corrective actions.- Bernama

Malaysians without haj visas advised to leave Mecca

 


MADINAH: Malaysians holding umrah or tourist visas are strongly advised to leave Mecca before the haj season begins to avoid facing strict action by the government of Saudi Arabia.

Consul-General of Malaysia in Jeddah, Roslan Sharif said individuals who defy the regulations and perform the haj without valid permits risk detention, deportation, fines, and blacklisting, including fines of up to RM20,000 per person.

"For companies or travel agencies involved, fines may go up to RM100,000, along with other penalties including asset and property seizures used in the violation," he said during a press conference, here on Tuesday (April 29).

Roslan therefore urged Malaysians intending to perform haj to ensure they obtain a valid haj visa through official channels such as the Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH).

"Use only recognised platforms for haj registration and arrangements, and avoid participating in or supporting any efforts to bring pilgrims without valid haj visas," he advised.

Roslan emphasised that pilgrims without haj visas would not have access to the official facilities provided for registered pilgrims, including medical services, food, accommodation in Arafah and Mina, and religious guidance.

"This not only endangers the individual but can also create an uncontrollable situation that disrupts other pilgrims. Islam teaches us to respect laws and uphold integrity, especially when performing sacred duties like haj," he added.

Roslan said starting tomorrow, entry into Mecca is only permitted for holders of valid haj visas, and the issuance of visas through the Nusuk platform has been immediately suspended.

"I would also like to remind Muslims in Malaysia to always be cautious and not be easily deceived by travel agencies offering various types of visas to perform the haj.

"This is because every year we receive many reports of Malaysian pilgrims being stranded, either in the country or in the holy land, unable to perform the haj due to invalid visas," he said. – Bernama

Strict terms for Paya Mengkuang pig farms to resume operations: Akmal

 


Operators of pig farms in Paya Mengkuang, Kuala Sungai Baru, must comply with two strict conditions if they wish to resume operations.

State Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security exco Dr Akmal Saleh said the main condition was that pig farming activities be conducted under a closed-house system instead of the conventional method used previously.

He said another condition was that any pigs brought in from outside Malacca must first obtain approval from the State Veterinary Services Department to ensure the animals are free from disease.

“If the farmers can comply with the conditions set, the state government has no objection to allowing their farms to resume operations.

“We have held a meeting with pig farmers in the area, and they are aware of the conditions that have been set,” he told a press conference outside the Malacca state assembly today.

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Elaborating, Akmal said he had not received any applications from existing farmers for the construction of farms with a closed-house system, which was required to resume operations.

In January 2022, the media reported that the Malacca government had agreed to gazette 35 pig farms in Paya Mengkuang as African Swine Fever disease outbreak and control areas.

The gazetting was to control the spread of ASF, but no specific timeframe had been set.

Bernama

Whistleblower's lawyer hands phone, almost 300 documents to MACC

 


The whistleblower in the Sabah corruption scandal has handed over a phone containing WhatsApp messages related to the case and nearly 300 pages of evidence to the MACC.

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The whistleblower’s lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, was at the anti-graft agency’s headquarters in Putrajaya today to turn over the device and documents on behalf of his client.

He said the evidence contains names of witnesses, locations, call logs, and share transfers done in a “clandestine” manner.

“This is not complete evidence. This is furtherance to the nine videos as well as the 50-page statement that was given (by the whistleblower),” he said at a press conference outside the MACC headquarters.

Lawyer Mahajoth Singh (left)

Mahajoth was on his way to hand over the evidence at 3.30pm.

Yesterday, sources said the evidence exposes the alleged appointment of proxies as shareholders in companies seeking mineral exploration licences.

The whistleblower, a 36-year-old businessperson, has levelled explosive allegations against several Sabah assemblypersons, accusing them of accepting bribes in exchange for the licences.

Since November, the businessperson has unleashed a stream of secretly recorded videos of his meetings with the assemblypersons, along with a flood of WhatsApp messages exposing their alleged dealings.

Screenshots of the videos released by the whistleblower

Earlier today, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the forensic analysis of 10 video clips implicating Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and the assemblypersons should be completed next week.

Commenting on the forensic analysis, Mahajoth questioned why they have yet to be completed.

“We are saying it’s a delay, it’s an obvious delay,” he said, adding that the videos were submitted to the anti-graft agency on March 11.

He also cited Azam’s statement on Jan 21 announcing that the MACC had completed its investigation into the matter.

At the time, Azam said the investigation papers had been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki
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Here to help MACC

Previously, Malaysiakini reported that the whistleblower, who is also being probed for allegedly being part of a cartel trying to monopolise mining in Sabah, possessed additional videos, although it is unclear if they would be made public.

Hajiji has denied the allegations against him, accusing the businessperson of colluding with certain parties to destabilise his administration.

Mahajoth also asked why the MACC had “rushed” to clear Hajiji’s name, pointing to the delay in the forensic reports.

“So we are here to assist MACC. Upon our client’s instructions, we are going to serve this evidence to them... I believe there is ample evidence.

“And I hope, by this, the MACC can also start wrapping up their investigations and charge the people involved in this scandal,” he said. - Mkini