https://www.scmp.com/rss/523267/feed The latest news and top stories on Royal Malaysian Air Force. Established on 2 June 1958, its primary mission is national air defence and security, protecting Malaysia’s airspace and national interests. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Maria Siow Maria Siow Australia’s decision to send a surveillance aircraft and air-to-air missiles to the Gulf highlights the difficult position the country now faces: supporting US and regional partners while trying to avoid being drawn deeper into the widening conflict. Analysts said the government was “walking a very fine line” with the deployment, signalling support for partners under Iranian attack while stopping short of committing Australia to offensive operations. At the same time, they said Canberra was... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3346459/australia-walks-very-fine-line-gulf-deployment-amid-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3346459/australia-walks-very-fine-line-gulf-deployment-amid-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:39:28 +0000 The Star The Star Some 20 Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) officers are believed to be involved in immoral activities dubbed “yeye culture”. According to RMAF chief Muhamad Norazlan Aris, initial investigations by the air force on Tuesday revealed that 20 officers were involved. “We will ensure that action is taken based on the armed forces’ laws and regulations. Such immoral culture is not the norm for the air force,” he said in a statement on Saturday. Muhamad Norazlan said the RMAF viewed the infringement on... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3339476/malaysia-vows-crackdown-air-force-officers-immoral-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3339476/malaysia-vows-crackdown-air-force-officers-immoral-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jan 2026 03:33:07 +0000 Orange Wang Orange Wang Australia should lead the creation of a formal Five Eyes-style intelligence club in the Pacific amid China’s growing presence in the region, a prominent foreign policy think tank has suggested. Dubbed “Pacific Eyes”, the proposed intelligence-sharing alliance could help to plug institutional gaps that “external powers” – particularly Beijing – were eager to exploit, the Sydney-based Lowy Institute said in a report released on Tuesday. It recommended that the dedicated framework initially consist... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3329818/pacific-eyes-intelligence-body-would-offset-chinas-growing-presence-region-report?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3329818/pacific-eyes-intelligence-body-would-offset-chinas-growing-presence-region-report?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Oct 2025 11:30:08 +0000 Seong Hyeon Choi,Zhao Ziwen Seong Hyeon Choi,Zhao Ziwen China and Australia exchanged accusations on Monday after an encounter over the disputed South China Sea, with the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command Air Force saying that it drove away a P-8A military aircraft that illegally intruded into Chinese airspace. “The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command organised naval and air forces to track and monitor the intruder in accordance with regulations, implement effective countermeasures, and issue warnings to drive it away,” Senior Colonel Li... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329696/china-australia-trade-blame-after-pla-jet-releases-flares-mid-air-encounter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329696/china-australia-trade-blame-after-pla-jet-releases-flares-mid-air-encounter?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Oct 2025 11:06:02 +0000 Hadi Azmi Hadi Azmi Malaysia’s National Security Council has ordered a temporary tightening of security at Petronas’ massive gas facility in Borneo and launched an immediate investigation into what it described as a “threat” to the critical energy infrastructure. The NSC on Monday said it was taking “proactive measures” in response to security threats targeting liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities nationwide, with a particular focus on the complex in Bintulu, a town in the Bornean state of Sarawak. “The Malaysian... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3324853/malaysia-tightens-security-petronas-bintulu-lng-hub-investigate-threat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3324853/malaysia-tightens-security-petronas-bintulu-lng-hub-investigate-threat?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Sep 2025 06:28:06 +0000 The Star The Star A Royal Malaysian Air Force personnel member who was reported missing since August 24 was found at a condominium on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. According to police, Muhammad Ammar Mohd Ariffin, 27, was discovered at his girlfriend’s residence. “The airman, who had earlier been reported missing, was found together with his girlfriend at her unit,” Serdang police chief Muhamad Farid Ahmad said. The discovery was made by an investigative team from the Serdang police headquarters.... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3324234/missing-malaysian-airman-found-girlfriends-home-after-10-days?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3324234/missing-malaysian-airman-found-girlfriends-home-after-10-days?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:00:03 +0000 Hadi Azmi Hadi Azmi Footage of a Malaysian air force jet bursting into flames during take-off has prompted renewed debate over the military’s ageing fleet – an issue recently thrust into the spotlight by the king, who lambasted defence officials over “nonsensical” military purchases earlier this week. The incident in Pahang state capital Kuantan on Thursday night saw an F/A-18D Hornet consumed by a ball of flames as it took off from the Kuantan Air Base, followed by two flashes as the pilots ejected before the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3322742/malaysia-jet-explosion-reignites-debate-over-ageing-air-force-arsenal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3322742/malaysia-jet-explosion-reignites-debate-over-ageing-air-force-arsenal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 03:49:06 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow The United States’ approval of Malaysia’s purchase of dozens of fighter jets is set to bolster the Southeast Asian country’s air capabilities – especially in the South China Sea – as part of a strategy to “quietly” build deterrence while also preserving cordial ties with China. Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan confirmed during a June 17 briefing that Washington had approved Malaysia’s request to acquire up to 33 used F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3317779/malaysias-south-china-sea-defences-set-fighter-jet-boost-quiet-military-build?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3317779/malaysias-south-china-sea-defences-set-fighter-jet-boost-quiet-military-build?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Jul 2025 03:30:11 +0000