KUALA LUMPUR: Ensuring the Armed Forces remain combat-ready should be among the key considerations in determining the defence allocation under Budget 2027, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said the allocation should take into account the country’s need to defend its sovereignty, as well as the geopolitical and security challenges it faces.
“It should be based on our need to be able to defend our country and protect our sovereignty, as well as the challenges and geopolitical conditions that we are facing,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters at a press conference held in conjunction with the Siber Siaga programme at the Cyber Digital Services, Defence and Security Asia Exhibition and Conference (CyberDSA) 2026 here on Monday (Oct 5).
Khaled said the allocation should ultimately ensure that the Armed Forces' readiness remains at the desired level.
“I believe the Prime Minister will give the best consideration possible to ensure that the readiness of the Armed Forces remains at the level that is expected,” he said.
On Aug 7, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would seek to increase the defence allocation under Budget 2027 to strengthen Armed Forces readiness and improve the welfare of its personnel.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said defence allocations had increased by more than 35% over the past three years, while stressing the need for continued investment in defence readiness.
He also said additional defence spending could potentially range from hundreds of millions to billions of ringgit to ensure Malaysia has sufficient assets and capabilities to address an increasingly complex security environment.
Budget 2027 is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on Oct 9.
