Hisham wants armed forces strengthened

Man with two hats: Hishamuddin (centre), who was recently appointed as Minister with Special Functions in the Prime Minister’s Department, feeding yellow sticky rice (pulut kuning) to his deputy Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharom (second from left) to mark his new appointment during a ceremony at Wisma Perwira. Also present were (from left) Armed Forces chief Gen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, Mindef’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Following his appointment as Special Functions Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is entrusting senior officials in the Defence Ministry with carrying out improvements to strengthen the armed forces.

These improvements include veteran welfare, preparedness, military diplomacy and the National Service module.

Hishammuddin said he wanted senior officials in the armed forces to effectively execute the plans. If they do, then the minister could perform his new duties better.

“How will I be able to carry out my duties if they are still dependent on my personal advice and guidance?”

Hishammuddin, who retains his role as Defence Minister, said he did not regard his new role as special treatment but a duty entrusted in him to be carried out sincerely and honestly.

“My main task now is to help the Prime Minister oversee efforts to safeguard security in Sabah,” he said.

His role is to ensure Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) Defence Committee head Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak works closely with the Esszone advisory board on strengthening the security efforts, especially in the East Coast of Sabah.

The board is jointly chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Hishammuddin said he had held discussions with Dr Ahmad Zahid on how best to get the people involved in safeguarding security in Sabah.

“He (Dr Ahmad Zahid) suggested that we involve the fishermen to be our eyes and ears. We plan to carry out this coordinated approach in the near future,” Hishammuddin added.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said he would meet with his counterparts in China in the hopes of finalising the deal to acquire four littoral mission ships (LMS) from Beijing.

He also hopes to discuss regional issues such as the issues over the South China Sea, fighting threats from IS and militant activities in the Sulu Sea.

Hishammuddin leaves for Beijing tomorrow. He was at the Defence Ministry’s monthly assembly in Wisma Perwira.

There, he witnessed ministry personnel take the pledge to fight corruption.

“Corruption is a sin and personally, I think those who take bribes are traitors of the nation.”