24/04/2026

FRIDAY | APR 24, 2026

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COMMENT by Hidayat Muhamad

Defending the digital battlefield I REMEMBER my childhood, when the internet was a luxury. Pages loaded line by line and a single picture could take minutes to systems are all connected and vulnerable.

A single cyberattack could paralyse what once took armies weeks to conquer. We have already seen how ransomware and digital sabotage can disrupt industries and daily life in Malaysia. The threat is real, even if unseen. Yet, when people speak of defence, they often imagine soldiers with rifles, jets in the sky or ships at sea. Few think about the networks that keep them connected. Without strong communication and cyber defence, even the best weapon becomes useless. Lifeline in crisis In the old days, slowness was just an inconvenience. Waiting for the internet to load was annoying but harmless. Today, a few seconds of network disruption can mean lives lost, operations delayed or classified information exposed. The stakes have changed but awareness has not kept pace. The same truth shows itself during disasters. During floods or earthquakes, power failures often lead to the collapse of communication systems. Phones die, signals vanish and connection becomes as valuable as water. In those moments, tactical field communication provided by the military and communication agencies becomes the lifeline of coordination and rescue. Deployable assets not only restore emergency coverage but also ensure interoperability, allowing police, fire and military units to speak in one digital language when every second counts. Call for digital resilience The RSR today and the regiment’s leadership represent resilience and determination to keep Malaysia’s defence connected, aware and secure even when the enemy strikes are unseen. In both peace and conflict, the regiment guards the nation’s voice and digital battlefield.

appear. Back then, we never imagined things like cyber warfare. Our biggest concern was whether the dial-up tone would connect or if someone picked up the phone and cut the line. We were taught that communication meant letters, phone calls or maybe the first mobile phones that felt like bricks. Short messaging services (SMS) cost us a fortune and we would maximise every character to save money. No one told us that one day, the invisible cyberspace would shape our security more than walls, fences or even bullets. Evolution of the Royal Signal Regiment For 73 years, the Royal Signal Regiment (RSR) of the Malaysian Army has carried one mission above all – to make sure the message gets through, no matter what stands in the way. From the days of field telephones and radios to satellite links and encrypted data streams, the regiment has been the unseen backbone of every operation. What once meant running cables through the jungle now means defending networks across domains. The modern signaller works in a space where the enemy does not march with rifles but hides behind codes and malware. The battlefield has expanded, no longer marked by borders or terrain but by the reach of a network. Today, the RSR stands at the intersection of cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum. This is where communication, intelligence and technology merge to form what we now call Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities or Cema. Here, every interference, every signal jam and every breach attempt becomes a potential act of war. Our airport systems, broadcast companies, power grids, banking networks and military command

“In the old days, slowness was just an inconvenience. Waiting for the internet to load was annoying but harmless. Today, a few seconds of network disruption can mean lives lost,

Just as we invest in ships, jets and armour, we must invest in secure communications, Cema capabilities and cyber defence infrastructure. – REUTERSPIC

strengthens more than just our networks; it strengthens trust, independence and national confidence. The battles of the future may not be fought with noise and fire but in silence, through data streams and electromagnetic waves. For 73 years, the signallers of the RSR have stood quietly in the background, ensuring that no matter the challenge, on land, through the airwaves or across the digital frontier, our nation’s defence remains connected, protected and never silenced – always, swift and sure. Hidayat Muhamad is a cybersecurity analyst with the RSR of the Malaysian Army. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

But hope alone is not enough. Just as we invest in ships, jets and armour, we must invest in secure communications, Cema capabilities and cyber defence infrastructure. Adversaries are already testing our boundaries, quietly probing our digital infrastructure. If we wait too long, decisions about our networks may one day be made elsewhere, far beyond our reach. In a world where data holds power, defending our digital space is as vital as defending our borders. Yet, the military cannot do this alone. Cybersecurity must be a shared responsibility, a partnership that spans the government, private industry and society as a whole. Every step towards digital resilience

operations delayed or classified information exposed.

Under One Roof

Emotional journey of caring for an ageing parent Q: My elderly mother is no longer able to live independently and has moved in with my husband and me. We wanted to care for her at home rather than place her in a nursing home but we are unsure if we are prepared for the challenges ahead. Do you have any advice or insights? In contrast, the milestones in an older person’s life can often feel sobering, sometimes marked by loss and decline. It is natural to feel sadness or grief as you face these changes. But that is not the whole story. Alongside confusion and inner conflict, there can also be moments of meaning – sharing burdens, deepening relationships and experiencing forgiveness and reconciliation. be related to a learning difficulty? Focus on the Family Malaysia : Some learning difficulties can affect a child’s ability to understand mathematical concepts, interpret word problems, recognise numerical symbols or work with arithmetic signs.

rather than focus solely on her struggles. Look for ways to highlight what she does well and encourage her to become more deeply engaged in the subjects she truly enjoys. In mathematics, help her to view assignments as positive challenges rather than frustrating obstacles. Work closely and cooperatively with her mathematics teacher to support her learning. Praise your child for her effort rather than focusing only on results, and avoid criticising or expressing disappointment when she struggles. Remind her that her self-worth is not defined by grades or achievements. Above all, consistently affirm your unconditional love for her. This article is contributed by Focus on the Family Malaysia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and strengthening the family unit. It provides a myriad of programmes and resources, including professional counselling services, to the community. For more information, visit family.org.my. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

If your child is significantly struggling with maths, it would be helpful to speak with her teacher about your concerns. They can help determine whether this might be a factor and advise on next steps, including the possibility of a formal evaluation. If it turns out that the issue isn’t a learning disability but simply a matter of needing additional help, consider finding a tutor or enrolling your daughter in a specialised mathematics programme. A situation like this can place considerable stress on the whole family, so bringing in outside help can ease the pressure rather than trying to manage all the tutoring on your own. Meanwhile, bear in mind that mathematics is not everything and not every child will excel in this area. It is important to affirm your child’s strengths

Focus on the Family Malaysia : Our counsellors often recommend starting by getting in touch with your own feelings as you enter this new phase of family life. You may find yourself cycling through a whirlwind of conflicting emotions – compassion, concern, stress, anxiety, frustration and even anger or resentment. These reactions are entirely natural. Each one is a valid part of the caregiving journey. Caring for your mum will likely mean taking on more responsibilities, especially if you are also raising children of your own. In many ways, caring for an ageing loved one can feel like the emotional opposite of parenting. As children grow, parents celebrate the achievement of new and exciting milestones.

There is also a sense of satisfaction in knowing that your service and presence bring reassurance, comfort and coherence into your mother’s fragmented world. There is a growing range of services and assistive devices available to support you – from transport services and adult day care to wheelchairs and home modifications. If Focus on the Family Malaysia can support you through counselling, you can schedule an appointment. Q: My daughter gets straight A’s in every subject except mathematics, where she struggles to keep up. We are finding it difficult to understand why this is happening. Could her challenges in maths