The Chief Of Navy As Armed Forces Chief: A simple changing of the guards or change of focus?

The recent appointment of the Chief of Navy as the Chief of the Malaysian Armed forces is a historical event for Malaysia and its armed forces. The announcement was low-key, and the response from the defence fraternity was muted, confined to letters to the editor either expressing
support for the move or disapproval at the appointment of a leader of a ‘junior’ service over someone from the more ‘senior’ services. The Royal Malaysian Navy has its genesis in the Straits States Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve established a mere one year after the formation of the Royal Malay Regiment in 1933. This small band of sailors proved their mettle during the Second World War and the ‘Konfrantasi’. But inter-service history and rivalry aside, the ramifications of the appointment of Admiral Dato’ Sri Mohd Anuar Hj. Mohd Nor as “Panglima Angkatan Tentera” while subtle and understated indicates to political observers a change in Malaysia’s strategic emphasis.