In  interaction between states, security has always been an issue of contention.  In an era where conflicts and natural catastrophies seem to be in abundant, it is important to reconsider the understanding of security.  From the realist perspective, security is considered the reseponsiblity of the state in ensuring that threats are being eliminated or minimized.  The concentration on territorial integrity and national independence are no longer inadequate in light of the fact that borders are porous and weapons are sophiticated.  National security must be seen in a a broader scope.  From a constructivist point of view, the agency of security is also in the hands of other actors. Personal safety and individual freedom are considered important and force is seen a secondary instrument.   Linkages between states, states agencies, and citizens need to be given attention in order to ensure that human development and humane governance are not compromised in the pursuit of  state’s wellbeing.  Human security approach provides an avenue that allows for an individual-community centered focus.In studies by Fouinat (2006), and Sheehan (2005), the authors provide a rather comprehensive framework for human security.  Discussion on human security concepts and measurments indicate the importance of developing an index to measure human security. Thus , it is the main objective of this research to assess the different available instruments to measure human security with the focus of developing the Malaysian Human Security Index (MHSI). In order to do this, first, a survey of available instruments is conducted ( secondary data).  Then, the researchers then developed the MHSI, a model that will combine both quantitative and qualitative techniques.

This research has four phases:
1) the documentation and assessment of available instruments
2) the development of MHSI
3) the testing of MHSI
4) research tabulation and report writing.

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