KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry will place emphasis on the acquisition of several new assets through the allocation of RM19.7bil received under Budget 2024.
In a statement yesterday, the ministry said that priority would be given to maintaining the capabilities and readiness of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) as well as its three branches, namely the Army (TDM), Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
“Mindef and MAF will initiate the acquisition of new assets, with TDM acquiring 60 infantry-armoured vehicles, 50 high-mobility light tactical vehicles, six hovercraft-integrated fast interceptors, and 733 support vehicles of various types, including 45 boats.
“RMN will continue with the procurement of three littoral mission ships (LMS) and work to refurbish two submarine assets, while RMAF will receive 12 new helicopters,” read the statement.
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The government has allocated RM19.7bil for Mindef in Budget 2024, an 11.21% increase from this year’s RM17.74bil allocation.
On the national border security, Mindef said efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of control measures at the country’s entry points would continue with the construction of seven posts, including in Melikin and Pa’ Daleh, Sarawak.
To ensure the welfare of armed forces personnel continues to be protected, the ministry said that several allocations have been set aside, including RM400mil for repairs and maintenance on all Rumah Keluarga Angkatan Tentera as well as RM20mil to upgrade the sewerage system at TDM camps in phases.
“Also, an incentive of RM1,000 will be extended to 216,758 retired and non-pensioned MAF veterans,” said Mindef, Bernama reported.
In addition, MAF veterans will continue to be empowered through the Protege-Ready to Work (Protege-RTW) initiative, a job training placement implemented in collaboration with companies awarded government contracts.
The statement also said that the government would increase the number of community rangers to 2,000 by appointing rangers from among MAF veterans, the police, Orang Asli and the local community.
