TAMPIN: The Defence Ministry (Mindef) aims to create vegetable gardens at every military camp in the country to ensure food security, especially for military personnel.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said Syed Sirajuddin Camp in Gemas here has been selected as a pioneer project.
"Farming activities have already begun. I have just seen it... so in whatever situation, including rising prices, we are self-sufficient. At least our personnel can focus on their security and defence duties.
"I want a report later and if possible, it can be expanded to all camps and all zones,” he told reporters after watching the 2022 Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Firepower Training here on Tuesday (June 21).
He added that the matter had been discussed with Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang and Chief of Army Gen Datuk Zamrose Mohd Zain.
Gen Zamrose had posted on Facebook Monday (June 20) that the Army Integrated Farm in Syed Sirajudin Camp, implemented under the Army Food Sustainability Programme, was aimed at reducing the cost of living for personnel through growing their own agricultural produce.
He said it was a precautionary measure in tackling any possible food crisis in the future and ensure food sustainability, especially among Armed Forces personnel as well as the general public.
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said that the firepower training was Mindef's effort to ensure that all three branches of service in the Armed Forces were equipped with the necessary assets in post-pandemic times.
"As long as I’m Defence Minister, we will do whatever it takes to ensure that morale is good and their spirits are high, Insya-Allah.
"The military personnel who will use these assets should determine what is needed and if we (the country) can afford it, the ministry will expedite it – that’s the process I announced previously,” he said. – Bernama
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