KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday told the Dewan Rakyat the government's acquisition of military equipment was part of efforts to build the country's defence capabilities.

Replying to a claim by Parti Keadilan Rakyat member of parliament Tian Chua that the acquisitions did not guarantee national security, he said they were in line with the country's defensive posture.

"All efforts are geared towards capability-based development of the military.

"This involves developing a credible ability that is necessary in defending the interests and sovereignty of the country from external threats.

"At the same time, Malaysia needs to have a deterrent capability to be more respected," he said in his winding-up speech.
Najib, who is also defence minister, said his ministry would work towards developing human capital, grooming soldiers who were knowledgeable, virtuous, ambitious, patriotic and physically and spiritually strong.

"We will expand the facilities to help them go for higher education through Higher Education Scheme scholarships and zero-interest loans from the Soldiers' Higher Education Fund."

The welfare of retired soldiers would also be taken care of by the recently formed Army Veterans Affairs Department.

"The department will continuously encourage army retirees to actively participate in business, agriculture, livestock rearing and fisheries, in co-operation with the relevant ministries." he said.