KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry and armed forces pledge to utilise 2024 Budget allocations transparently, prudently and with integrity for a safe, sovereign and prosperous nation.
In a statement issued today, the ministry said it welcomed the budget allocation given by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim following the tabling of the federal budget yesterday.
"The Defence Ministry has received an allocation of RM19.7 billion for 2024, an increase of approximately 11.21 per cent compared to last year's allocation of RM17.74 billion.
"Of that amount, RM12.67 billion is for the Operations Expenditure (OE), which has increased by 11.04 per cent.
"RM7.05 billion is for Development Expenditure (DE) which saw an increase of 11.37 per cent."
The ministry said it will emphasise the implementation of several procurements of new assets by focusing on the empowerment of homeland sovereignty and continue to work to leverage the entire approved 2024 Budget.
"The procurement for all three branches of the armed forces among others include 60 infantry armoured cars, 50 High Mobility Light Tactical Vehicles (HMLTV), six Hover Craft Integrated Fast Interceptor and 733 support vehicles of various types including 45 units of boats
"The Royal Malaysian Navy will also continue the procurement of three Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) and the work of refurbishing two submarine assets while the Royal Malaysian Air Force will receive the procurement of 12 new helicopters."
To strengthen the nation's borders, the budget contained an allocation for the construction of seven border posts, among them to be located in Melikin and Pa' Daleh, Sarawak.
The ministry said it will streamline existing initiatives for the welfare of the armed forces as well as its veterans.
"RM400 million is being provided to maintain and repair armed forces family homes and RM20 million was provided to upgrade the army camp's sewage system.
"Veterans will also continue to be empowered through the Protege-Ready to Work (Protege-RTW) initiative, which is a collaborative job training placement programme with companies receiving government contracts; and an allocation of a specific quota in entrepreneurship, training, employment and financing facility programmes to secure the welfare and socioeconomics of veterans.
"The RM1,000 payment incentive will also be extended to 216,758 pensioned and non-pensioned veterans.
"The government will also increase the number of community rangers to 2,000 people by appointing rangers from armed forces veterans, police, Orang Asli and local communities."
It added that the Armed Forces Hospital will also collaborate with Health Ministry hospitals to reduce overcrowding of patients in government hospitals.