Defence Ministry Allocation to Be Increased in Budget 2027 – PM
MELAKA: The government will continue to strive to increase the allocation for the national defence sector through Budget 2027, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said that this is to strengthen the preparedness of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), besides ensuring that the welfare of security personnel continues to be taken care of.
He said that such a step is appropriate to guarantee the nation’s security, which he described as the most valuable asset that must be defended at all times.
“Increasing national defence preparedness needs to be carried out at all times, because battle does not occur at expected times. We do not wait, for example, for a country to declare war, then we start to sweat.
“That is also why, I want to defend the method of purchasing, procurement of weapons and military equipment in an orderly and transparent manner, avoid what people do not like, that is the term ‘sakau’ (skim off), buying using outside agencies with higher commissions,” he said when speaking at the National Spirit Programme with ATM at Kem Terendak here today.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan; Deputy Defence Minister, Adly Zahari; Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar; and Chief of Army (PTD), General Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said that the increased allocation also encompasses the welfare aspects of personnel, including efforts to improve housing quarters, construction of new hospitals as well as maintenance of basic facilities such as water supply.
“That is why, the MADANI Government over the past three years, we have raised the allocation to the Defence Ministry by 35 percent higher than before.
“This is not a small figure. Only, it is not known. That is why, I tell you that sometimes the children should know. People can talk about wanting to support, give cooperation, give attention. But what kind of attention if the equipment is (left) in poor condition, if the procurement method is full of controversy,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that efforts to increase the allocation can be done given the improving picture of the country’s economy, supported by the strengthening of the ringgit, increased foreign investment as well as controlled inflation rates.
Based on the Dewan Rakyat calendar, the tabling of Budget 2027 is scheduled for 9 October.
At today’s event, Anwar also announced an allocation of RM147,000 to the Armed Forces Charity and Welfare Body (BAKAT) as well as a fund of RM1 million for the maintenance of mosques and suraus at four military camps in Melaka, namely Kem Terendak, Kem Sungai Udang, Kem Masjid Tanah and Kem Bukit Beruang.
BERNAMA