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More than 100,000 people have been killed across all sides in Myanmar since a military coup five years ago triggered civil war, a conflict monitor said Wednesday.

Since the February 2021 putsch there have been 100,114 “conflict-related fatalities” according to Sun Mon Thant, a senior analyst from Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), which tallies media reports of violence.

There is no official toll and estimates vary widely, but analysts regard the half-decade civil war as the deadliest active conflict in Asia.

The military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, detaining the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and ending Myanmar’s decade-long experiment with democracy.

Security forces put down anti-putsch protests but activists quit the cities to form pro-democracy guerrilla groups, fighting alongside ethnic minority armies which have long resisted central rule.

Defence minister Khaled Nordin has denied claims that Malaysia made an advance payment of RM571.9 million for a cancelled Norwegian naval strike missile (NSM) system, stating that the payment was only made after contractual milestones had been fulfilled.

Khaled said the payment was made in accordance with the contract’s terms after all the missile systems had been completed, passed tests conducted by the navy, and were ready for delivery to Malaysia.

“It was not an advance payment, but was made according to the terms of the contract based on verified work progress,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.

He was responding to Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang), who asked why the government released the full RM571.9 million payment and whether the agreement contained sufficient safeguards for Malaysia’s interests.

In May, Khaled had said the government paid nearly 95% of the contract value, amounting to more than RM500 million.

According to the Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace website, the NSM procurement contract was signed between the navy and the company in April 2018, valued at €124 million (RM571.9 million), to equip six littoral combat ships.

Khaled also rejected allegations that the contract lacked adequate provisions to protect the government.

He said the agreement included clauses allowing the government to take action in the event of non-performance or breach of contractual obligations.

He said Norway’s decision to revoke the export licence for the missile system was beyond the control of both the Malaysian government and the supplier.

Malaysia is seeking more than RM1 billion in damages from Kongsberg, which include indirect costs such as the removal of missile mounting systems already installed on the navy’s vessels, as well as the integration of replacement systems supplied by other vendors.

Two military personnel, a corporal and a sergeant, sustained knee injuries after a firearm used during training at Hobart Camp in Gurun, Kedah, exploded due to a technical malfunction yesterday.

In the incident at about 6pm, one of the victims, a 35-year-old instructor, suffered a right knee injury that required eight stitches, according to a report by Astro Awani. 

Another victim, aged 29, who sustained an injury to his left knee believed to involve nerve damage, is still receiving treatment at Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani.

Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said the injuries were confirmed not to have been caused by bullets, but rather by fragments or foreign objects propelled when the weapon suddenly exploded.

“Preliminary investigations found that a technical issue occurred when the weapon experienced stoppages or malfunctioned during training. After safety procedures were carried out, including unloading and laying down the weapon, an explosion suddenly occurred.

“Investigations now suggest that the explosion caused foreign debris to be propelled, injuring both personnel. Doctors also confirmed the injuries were consistent with impact from foreign objects and not gunfire,” he said at a press conference today.

Adzli said initial checks found that a regulator component in the weapon’s gas system had come loose, but the exact cause still requires further expert analysis.

He added that forensic teams from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and weapons specialists from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) had visited the site to conduct detailed investigations.

“Although it is believed to be due to a technical issue and not negligence or live fire, we have still opened an investigation paper under Section 37 of the Arms Act 1960 to determine the exact cause,” he said.

He said several witnesses, including a major who served as an exercise observer, had been interviewed, while formal statements would be taken once the victims were stable.

The exercise involved 300 officers and personnel from Kem Bukit Cawder, Perlis, and began last Sunday, running until Thursday.

Separately, Adzli said police investigations into the deaths of two soldiers in a grenade explosion at the same camp on June 16 had been handed over to the military, with the case still classified as sudden death (SDR) while investigations continue.

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) has shortlisted four countries as possible suppliers of an anti-ship missile system for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project after Norway cancelled the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) procurement.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the selection process will focus on key criteria to ensure the chosen system meets the operational needs of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) beyond basic specifications.

He said the countries being considered are Türkiye, South Korea and two European countries.

“We must evaluate whether the replacement missile can be integrated with the LCS’s French-built Combat Management System (CMS). It must be fully interoperable with the existing system,” he told reporters at the Southern Zone Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Karnival Hari Keluarga Kita at X Park Impiana 2 Square, Bandar Seri Impian, here today.

He was commenting on the latest developments following the Norwegian government’s revocation of the export licence for the NSM to Malaysia.

Mohamed Khaled said the government is reviewing the delivery timeline to avoid delays that could affect the country’s maritime defence capabilities.

“We want to know who can supply the missiles earliest. Some are still developing their systems, but if the delivery timeline takes up to eight years, that is not a viable option for us,” he said.

He added that pricing is also a key factor to ensure the government obtains a high-technology system at a reasonable cost.

He said the selected missile must have capabilities similar to the NSM, such as stealth, sea-skimming to evade enemy air defence, and high-precision targeting.

The Norwegian government had cancelled the NSM export licence to Malaysia on the grounds of protecting its national security interests.

Following the cancellation, Mindef has issued an RM1 billion claim against the relevant defence firm over the aborted NSM procurement.

The LCS project is a key strategic asset for the RMN and strengthens the country’s maritime defence.