Final answer:
Malaysia protects its sovereignty through diplomacy, economic power, and effective armed forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
Malaysia protects its sovereignty without relying on armed forces through a combination of diplomatic efforts, economic power, and maintaining effective armed forces as a last resort. First, Malaysia uses diplomacy to rally allies and isolate threats, ensuring that it has support and cooperation from other nations. Second, the country marshals its economic power by developing its manufacturing and agricultural sectors, and by taking advantage of its strategic location on a major shipping lane. This allows Malaysia to strengthen its economy and gain income without solely relying on armed forces for protection. Finally, while not the primary method, Malaysia also maintains effective armed forces as a deterrent and as a last resort for defending its sovereignty.