evidence: Malaysia’s destiny is maritime. Geographically divided into two by sea, 63 percent of the federation’s borders are maritime borders; its coastline stretches 4,675 km.[1] Peninsular Malaysia—the western portion of the federation—is situated on the eastern shore of the Malacca Strait, a strategically important waterway which ferries approximately 60 percent of global maritime traffic.[2] The territory of the strait is divided between Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and, to a smaller extent, Thailand. [...] Malaysia’s offshore territorial claims include an estimated five billion barrels of oil reserves and 80 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, making it a lucrative target for disputing countries, particularly, China.[5] The Royal Malaysian Navy stationed in the EEZ continues to face challenges in defending their strategic interests from the Chinese navy and coast guard, who trespassed into the EEZ 89 times between 2016 and 2019 alone.[6] The Malaysian Government Audit Report for 2020 revealed Chinese vessels repeatedly exhibiting belligerent attitudes toward the Royal Malaysian Navy during standoffs within the Malaysian EEZ.[7]