PM ANWAR WANTS MAF ASSET PROCUREMENT SYSTEM REVAMPED
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) asset procurement system revamped to ensure outside parties can no longer rake in excessive commissions.
He said the revamp must be done as the preparedness of national defence asset equipment, such as ships, aircraft and tanks, is not coordinated and in line with the economic growth and Malaysia’s geopolitical and strategic position.
“Why I choose to mention this to all of you is because for veterans, for the military and, of course, for all of us, the country’s preparedness in the field of defence is an important matter.
“So, we suggest to the military leadership to revamp the procurement system, there can be no more interference from outside parties.
“The chiefs of staff are responsible for choosing the best warships, aircraft, tanks and other equipment and not repeat the same mistakes, stealing through excessive commissions that our equipment cannot provide a solid defence,” he said.
Anwar said this when officiating the MAF Veterans Entrepreneurship Empowerment Programme at Wisma Perwira ATM here today.
The Prime Minister said that in maintaining the country’s peace and stability, the capability of defence assets is something that cannot be underestimated, although there are some who will belittle the government’s efforts to increase spending allocations to strengthen the assets.
“I wish to state here, our responsibility is to provide an overview and set policies so that the country’s defence forces and security capabilities are comprehensive and solid.
“So, stop the old methods and practices. I don’t care if we face opposition from the outside because we stand firm about the issue of corruption and excessive commissions,” he said.
He added that while the military and other authorities are working hard to maintain national security, it was only appropriate for this group’s basic facilities and welfare to be improved to appreciate their sacrifices.
As such, Anwar, as Finance Minister, announced the approval of an additional allocation of RM200 million this year for the upgrading of facilities and dilapidated homes of military personnel, as well as another RM40 million for police housing, including in the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM).
“Otherwise, while we ask them to defend the country, we will still hear that the basic facilities are not complete,” he said at the event, which was also attended by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
— BERNAMA
PUTRAJAYA, July 31 (Bernama) — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah attended the 2023 Warriors’ Day parade, held at Dataran Pahlawan, here today.
Organised by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the event features the concept of a static combat parade involving six contingents, namely the PDRM, Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, the Veterans Association of Malaysian Armed Forces, and the Malaysian Ex-Police Association.
Upon the royal couple’s arrival, the national anthem ‘Negaraku’ was played, and a 21-gun salute was fired by the Royal Artillery Regiment.
The King later inspected the guard of honour led by Supt Mohd Rezuan Juragan.
A total of 18 officers and 652 personnel of various ranks from the police force and the Malaysian Armed Forces participated in the parade.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail were also present.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain and Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Affendi Buang were also in attendance.
The ceremony proceeded with the Last Post being sounded as the Jalur Gemilang was lowered from the flag post, followed by a recitation of the poem titled ‘Pahlawanku’ by Sergeant Roseshini Kasim and Warrant Officer I Yomen Morzelan Md Jusoh.
There was also a special pantomime performance entitled “Op Daulat Kampung Simunul” that tells the story of the intrusion by Sulu terrorists in Kampung Air Sri Jaya, Simunul, in Semporna, Sabah, a decade ago.
Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah as well as other guests, were visibly moved as they watched the reenactment of the bloody intrusion by 150 officers, police personnel and family members of those who died in the tragic tragedy.
His Majesty then took time to meet the next of kin of the victims who died in the tragedy after the pantomime performance ended.
Warriors’ Day is celebrated on July 31 every year to honour the struggles and sacrifices of the members of the national security forces to protect national prosperity and sovereignty.
— BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — The government has approved an additional allocation of RM50 million to expand the Rahmah concept implemented by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the extra allocation would enable the ministry to ensure that the rakyat in every state constituency throughout the country would benefit from the concept.
“I want this Rahmah struggle to be widened … the ministry has proposed that we expand it in the state constituencies if possible. I will ensure its speedy implementation in stages, and we have approved an additional RM50 million.
“We are doing this because it directly benefits the lower-income group as it is meaningless to talk about struggle, compassion, mercy and care if their (rakyat’s) food is not guaranteed,” he said.
He said this when closing the National Consumers Day 2023 at Pizzeria Pavilion in Bukit Jalil here today.
Anwar expressed appreciation to all parties who have made a success of the Rahmah initiative as it has given meaning to the value of compassion and mercy espoused by Malaysia MADANI and urged them to defend the record so that the people can continue to reap the benefits.
He believed that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Fuziah Salleh and officers of the ministries involved would carry this agenda forward.
“Defend the record and maintain the determination. There was early success and the expenditure was high too, with cooperation from many companies, in fact too many for me to mention.
“I told Salahuddin (late Salahuddin Ayub) before that when the government implemented the Rahmah initiative and it was accepted by restaurants and shops, I was touched and felt that we should hold an appreciation ceremony for them,” Anwar said.
Salahuddin, who died last July 23, had been acknowledged for his commitment in fighting for the people’s well-being as the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister.
The ministry implemented the Payung Rahmah initiative with various programmes to help target groups, including Jualan Rahmah sales throughout 2023 by supermarkets and retail stores and Bakul Rahmah food baskets containing RM100 worth of daily essentials contributed by strategic partners.
Menu Rahmah is a programme which the ministry jointly undertakes with strategic partners comprising food outlet operators and the Association of Restaurant Operators and Food Stalls to help ease the cost of living of target groups, especially the hardcore poor among the B40.
— BERNAMA
SHAH ALAM, July 29 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants programmes commemorating the Prophet Muhammad such as the ‘Majlis Darul Ehsan Berselawat 2.0’ in Selangor tonight, to be held throughout the country.
Anwar said this was because such programmes instilled a sense of love and appreciation for the Holy Prophet.
“Thank you to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari who enlivened Selangor with ‘selawat’ (sending salutations to the Prophet) and after Selangor, we will tour the whole country after the state elections (are over),” he said while speaking at the event held at the Melawati Indoor Stadium.
He said the MADANI nation concept he was spearheading was based on the values and morals of the Prophet Muhammad, and the awareness to remember and send salutations to the Prophet should be expanded nationwide.
The Majlis Darul Ehsan Berselawat 2.0 programme organised by the Selangor Women’s Welfare and Charity Organisation (Pekawanis) in collaboration with Pertubuhan Damai dan Cinta Insani (Pendamai) was a continuation of the programme held on Jan 14, which received an overwhelming response.
The event tonight also featured famous Muslim scholars and preachers such as Sheikh Abu Zaki, Ustaz Neezam Al-Banjari and Ustaz Dr Ahmad Farkhurrazi, attracting more than 5,000 attendees.
— BERNAMA
