BUTTERWORTH – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reminded politicians and foreign agents to not get involved in decisions regarding the procurement of military assets.
He said professional decisions when it comes to acquiring assets such as aircraft, vessels, weapons and others must be made by the armed forces.
“When there is a decision, bring it to the Finance Ministry and we will initiate direct negotiations with the parties involved,” he said in his speech at a meet-and-greet session with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fraternity at the RMAF base here today.
Anwar said the national defence policy must prioritise adequate preparedness.
He noted that where equipment is concerned, the nation’s current assets have not reached the level of neighbouring countries, seeing how old ones are still in use.
He said Malaysia’s defence is in this state due to its previous policy of not handing over the acquisition of assets to the military, ending up in a lot of leakages as a result of the high commissions involved.
Meanwhile, the prime minister said the government will focus on constructing homes for civil servants, including the military, and repairing existing homes starting next year.
“However, if there are excess funds, the government will expedite the repairs for homes that urgently need them,” he said.
The event today was also attended by RMAF Butterworth base commander Khairol Muzambi Salehin, RMAF air education and training commander, Datuk Zahani Zainal Abidin, and some 700 members of the base fraternity.
Anwar also presented contributions to SPM 2022 excellence achievers and chronic illness patients at the event. – Bernama, June 17, 2023
