Malaysia Announces 5.3% Defence Budget Increase

28 Oktober 2017

2018 Budget for Mindef (image : Mindef)

The Malaysian government has announced that defence spending will increase by 5.3% under the 2018 budget. Total spending on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will rise from MYR15.1 billion (USD3.6 billion) to MYR15.9 billion.

Spending will decline marginally against GDP, remaining at a level of around 1.1, and as a share of overall government spending from 5.8% to 5.6%. Despite that, the MoD’s budget allocation is still around 7% lower than in 2015 following a large cut to military spending in 2016.

The additional funding will be allocated within the recurrent budget which incorporates the operating costs of the MoD and the armed forces, with related spending rising by 7.6% from MYR11.7 billion to MYR12.6 billion. (Jane's)

Budget 2018 Allocations Enhances MAF's Capabilities - Armed Forces Chief

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- The RM14-billion allocation to the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) in Budget 2018 will enhance the capabilities of the MAF in guarding the sovereignty and security of the country including at the border areas and national waters.

MAF Chief General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor said the allocation would reflect the duties borne by the MAF in preserving the sovereignty of the country.

He was commenting on the allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when tabling Budget 2018 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Meanwhile, Army Chief General Tan Sri Zulkiple Kassim said a part of the allocation would be used to upgrade and equip the assets of the Gerak Khas Group commando team and to install more guard posts along the Sabah and Sarawak borders.

Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said the allocation would allow the navy to improve the capability of its littoral combat ships with sophisticated weapons.

"This will enhance maritime safety especially in the Strait of Melaka, the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea," he said. (Bernama)

ESSCom Allocation Shows Goverment's Concern For Sabah Security

LAHAD DATU (Bernama) -- The RM250 million allocation given to the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) in the 2018 Budget shows the federal government's emphasis on Sabah's security, especially those in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).

Lahad Datu residents expressed gratitude over the announcement as it showed the government's concern for the people's security.

Housewife, Rohana Ajri, 38, said the allocation could be spent by ESSCom to strengthen security in the waters.

"The allocation can strengthen the role of ESSCom in monitoring the ESSZone waters, thus curbing cross-border crimes, including smuggling," she told Bernama here today.

The 2018 Budget tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today, allocated RM250 million to ESSCom to enhance security controls at Sabah and Sarawak borders, including RM50 million for coastal surveillance radar. (Bernama)

After the budget was released, RMAF official Twitter account announced that the 2018 Budget included funding for four MPA. (image : RMAF)

MMEA appreciative of RM900 million allocation

PUTRAJAYA: Director-general of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Admiral Datuk Zulkifili Abu Bakar has thanked the government for the RM900 million allocation to the agency, as announced in the 2018 Budget today.

Zulkifli said the allocation will be used for the agency’s development and management expenditure for next year.

“I am grateful to the government for this allocation. (Of the) total, RM490 million will be used to fund boat and ship maintenance, (and for) patrol ships currently being constructed.

“In this budget, the MMEA, as one of the security forces together with the armed forces and police, has greater and important responsibilities in safeguarding the security, sovereignty and well-being of the people and the country.

“As the national maritime enforcement agency, the MMEA is always committed and responsible in ensuring that the country’s waters are safe and under control,” Zulkifli said in a statement.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today announced that the government has allocated RM14 billion for the armed forces – including almost RM9 billion to the police and RM900 million to the MMEA – in its 2018 Budget. (NewStraitsTimes)