Abdul Wahab Sulaiman, Mindmatics Director,

ADJ: Can you tell us about Mindmatics Sdn Bhd and how it came about? Why are companies such as Mindmatics important for defence and security of the nation?

AWS: Mindmatics came into being 25 years ago with the thinking of creating an avenue where employees can express their creativity to result in outstanding defence electronic products locally and to provide indigenous technical support. Since then we have consistently driven innovation in defence technology by developing high-value home grown solutions tailored to meet evolving operational and tactical requirements.

This firm is important for the nation’s defence and security because it has the right DNA to develop system and equipment indigenously as in accordance with the vision of Malaysia’s Defence White Paper.

ADJ: Your company is now investing in AI-driven defence, cybersecurity and strategic partnerships. Can you update us on the milestones?

AWS: On the Artificial Intelligence front, we are working towards developing all the necessary AI agents to enlarge the scopes to be considered in decision makings. Some of these initiatives have already been included in our latest applications that we develop, especially in the area of customer relationship.

ADJ: Can you brief us on your range of products for the defence and security forces? What is the company’s focus here?

AWS: We are a company specialising in homegrown Defence Electronic Systems (DES), offering cutting-edge solutions in sensors, unmanned systems, cyber security, and command and control. Our product range includes intelligent loitering munitions, VTOL UAVs, radar support measures, and command centre shelters designed for surveillance, intelligence, and electronic warfare.

Specifically for DSA and NATSEC Asia 2026, we are highlighting solutions for covering maritime domain awareness, coastal surveillance, land border surveillance,  port surveillance, combat management systems, base defence and electronic monitoring systems. We are also involved in providing cyber security systems. 

ADJ: What are the key developments in your company thus far in the defence industry and the nation’s defence and security requirements?

AWS: We are proud to announce the inclusion of our passive radar product, Tedung, by the Malaysian Defence Industry Council in the recent launch of National Defence Industry Policy. This is a significant milestone for Malaysia because for the first time we will use our own indigenous product for passive radar and all its associated hybrid products for our defence activities.

ADJ: With the partnerships such as the recent one with Nexcore designed to boost AI cyber defence, what specific milestones have been outlined for development?

AWS: For cyber defence, we have developed several cyber defence products that we developed using the latest technologies including AI, namely Cyber Technical Database, Cyber Recon Tool and Geolocation. In addition, we are currently also developing several cyber defence tools, specifically for Post Quantum Computing.

ADJ: Regarding the recent collaboration with National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) on post-quantum defence, how does MSB plan to position itself as a key technology provider rather than just a user of foreign technology?

AWS: For our collaboration with NACSA, we are incorporating a crypto methodology tool developed by the Malaysian Centre of Technology and Cryptology Management Centre (PTPKM) into our communication devices for Post Quantum Cryptology (PQC) defense. No, we are not a user of foreign technology.

ADJ: What about regional expansion? What is your strategy for expanding MSB’s AI solutions outside of Malaysia? 

AWS: Right now, we are exploring market expansion within ASEAN countries as well as the Middle East, Europe and Canada. We are leveraging our locally developed products that have no relationship with eastern or western technologies. These agreements represent a significant milestone in advancing Malaysia’s defence technology ecosystem through international collaboration and innovation. Each partnership is focused to address critical domains of modern warfare and national security.

ADJ: With quantum computing making current cryptography obsolete, how is Mindmatics preparing its clients for this transition?

AWS: We are currently developing two products namely communication devices and Encryption Box that are ready to be deployed. We are continuously educating the clients on the dangers of Quantum Computers against encryption activities, and the clients are beginning to see the potential problems posed by quantum computers.

ADJ: How are you integrating your unmanned systems products into your broader communication and command control solutions? 

AWS: As you are aware, we develop our own universal messaging tools From Drone to Ground. We have tested the devices and it works very well. We are now ready to support our clients solving all their communication issues whether it is radio or satellite communication.

ADJ: This specific  industry requires high expertise in cybersecurity and data analytics. To ensure the all-important sovereign capability is maintained, how is Mindmatics nurturing local talent to meet these high demands?

AWS: We ourselves are facing these challenges. We continuously participate in all national and international forums. We are tapping into the power of young talent to strengthen Malaysia’s future cyber defence capacity, and the growing importance of cyberspace in national security. In Malaysia, there is still much work to be done to encourage more players to grow and get involved.

We have started our pilot training programme to support and develop Cyber Security professionals. Eventually, our training will include all aspects of the populace. We need a whole-of-society effort to ensure cyber security awareness and knowledge. At the same time, we are preparing our curriculum to develop AI training programmes. Our pilot programme is scheduled to start in July this year.