Making sure our waters are solidly protected

MELAKA: The additional allocation for the Defence Ministry under Budget 2024 will boost the country’s capability to protect its interests in the South China Sea, says Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari.

He said the resource-rich South China Sea is an important maritime zone for the country and the ministry will work hard to ensure peace and stability will be maintained along Malaysia’s maritime borders.

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“The South China Sea is a crucial waterway for commercial purposes and also for our fishing industry, hence it’s important for Malaysia to protect its maritime rights,” he said after launching a political funding workshop organised by the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) and Transparency-International Malaysia (TI-M) here yesterday.

Adly said the allocation for the ministry will include three Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) to be stationed at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Naval Region 4 (Mawilla 4) headquarters in Bintulu, Sarawak.

LMSes are relatively small, thin vessels, designed for stealth combat near coastlines and sometimes even used to take on bigger enemy vessels.

He also said seven border posts will be built in Melikin and Pa’ Daleh, Sarawak as well as a security post in Sungai Desa Aji Kuning and Sebatik Island in Sabah under Budget 2024.

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These installations will help the country strengthen its border controls in Sabah and Sarawak, thus enhancing security in the South China Sea – a region known for being rich in marine resources for local fishermen, besides oil exploration.

On Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Budget 2024 announcement of the formation of a single border agency, Adly said his ministry would hold talks with the Home Ministry soon to discuss this.

The discussion will cover coordinating various aspects related to the tasks, roles and scope of work of the enforcement agencies under the two ministries, he added.

In his Budget 2024 speech on Friday, Anwar had announced an allocation of RM19.7bil for the Defence Ministry, an increase of RM2bil compared to its allocation this year.

He said the additional allocation is to strengthen the level of the country’s defence and security preparedness.

Anwar also announced acquisitions of key military assets, including 12 new helicopters for the Royal Malaysian Air Force, 60 infantry fighting vehicles, 50 High Mobility Light Tactical Vehicles, six Hovercraft Integrated Fast Interceptors as well as 733 support vehicles of various types, apart from refurbishing two submarines.

Of the total allocation, RM12.67bil is slated for operating purposes, which is an 11.04% increase. Meanwhile, RM7.05bil is for development purposes, an increase of 11.37%.

Three main agendas would be addressed under the allocation, namely asset acquisition, border security and the welfare of armed forces personnel.