KUALA LUMPUR – The Home Ministry will receive RM18.3 billion and the Defence Ministry RM17.4 billion under a RM35.7 bill spending plan for 2023.
Of this, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency will get an injection of RM485 million next year to maintain its existing ships and boats to ensure the country’s security, said Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz when tabling Budget 2023 in Parliament today.
Another RM4 billion will be allocated for the procurement and maintenance of army assets.
A further RM431 million will be given to the police force for the same purpose.
His announcement comes in light of the controversy surrounding the government’s RM9 billion procurement of six littoral combat ships, none of which have been delivered to date.
Zafrul also said the welfare of the security forces and those who have retired from the service will continue to be prioritised by the government.
In this regard, he announced that RM118 million and RM42 million will respectively be allocated to maintain housing for army and police personnel.
RM28 billion will also be injected to continue with the construction of three new housing quarters for the police.
“Additionally, a 50% discount on public transportation services will be given to 21,000 army veteran and police retiree cardholders in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, and Pahang,” he said. – The Vibes, October 7, 2022
