KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has agreed to consider the release of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) procurement funds to cover its operational expenditure.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the matter was conveyed by Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, during a meeting with the top leadership of the Defence Ministry and the Armed Forces at Wisma Perwira here, on Tuesday (Feb 24).
"The Prime Minister informed us that he understands the need to maintain readiness and ongoing operations, and that any decision to freeze procurement must be made carefully, so as not to ultimately affect operations and preparedness.
"He agreed that such matters can be considered and exempted,” he told a press conference after the meeting, held in conjunction with the Ihya’ Ramadan Programme.
ALSO READ: Anwar meets Armed Forces top brass at Wisma Perwira
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Chief of Defence Force Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman.
On Jan 16, Anwar directed that all procurement decisions involving the Armed Forces and the police that are linked to corruption issues be temporarily frozen until procurement procedures are fully complied with.
The freeze was imposed following controversies involving the armed forces, related to allegations of corruption and abuse of power, implicating several of its former top leaders.
At the same time, Mohamed Khaled said that the Prime Minister also stressed that all procurement processes must be carried out transparently, and expressed support for the Defence Ministry’s efforts to strengthen governance, particularly in the area of procurement.
"The Prime Minister also emphasised that Armed Forces readiness is an absolute necessity in the light of current geopolitical developments, both regionally and globally,” he said.
Khaled added that, during the meeting, Anwar also highlighted the importance of safeguarding the welfare and well-being of military personnel, including the provision of more comfortable housing. – Bernama
