Mat Sabu: White Paper on defence isn't like a 'normal essay'

KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu (pic) has told Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to be patient over the tabling of a White Paper that will chart Malaysia's defence plans.

Mohamad said this was because the Defence White Paper is not just "a simple essay".

"Be patient. This White Paper is not like a simple essay," he said to reporters when met at the Parliament lobby on Wednesday (Oct 23).

Mohamad also dismissed allegations by the former defence minister that there were several delays in tabling the White Paper.

"There are no delays because it will be tabled in this Parliament session. He (Hishammuddin) needs to get his information right," he said.

In Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 22), Hishammuddin took Mohamad to task for allegedly delaying the tabling of the Defence White Paper six times this year.

Hishammuddin said the White Paper which will chart Malaysia's defence plans and policies for the next decade and beyond, is merely a document but what is pivotal are the plans for next year.

He said there must be strategies and plans in motion not just for the security of the nation but also to take care of the welfare and morale of armed forces personnel as well as their families.

Hishammuddin said that not many major strategies were announced in the recently tabled Budget 2020.

He also expressed disappointment that there were no allocations for security initiatives in Sabah, adding that the only thing mentioned were plans to have fast patrol vessels.