Budget 2023: KDN and Mindef allocated RM35.7 bln to strengthen security, defence

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Defence have been allocated RM18.3 billion and RM17.4 billion respectively under Budget 2023.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz when tabling the Supply Bill 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat today said that the government's focus next year would be the purchase and maintenance of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) assets, with an allocation of almost RM4 billion.

He said the second was the purchase and maintenance of Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) assets to improve domestic security with an allocation of RM431 million.

"The third is the maintenance of all ships and boats of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to ensure the security of the country's maritime areas with an allocation of RM485 million.

"Apart from that is the procurement of body scanners and upgrading of facilities in five prisons, including the Seremban Prison in Negeri Sembilan with an allocation of RM18 million," he said.

Tengku Zafrul said another 25 border control posts of the General Operations Force, Immigration, Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), and the MMEA would be added, among them in Serikin, Sarawak and Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Meanwhile, he said the welfare of the country's uniformed forces and retirees would continue to be preserved.

According to him, the initiative includes RM118 million for the maintenance of the Armed Forces Family Housing (RKAT).

"The government plans to build new RKAT of various classes at the Butterworth Air Base in Penang, in addition to the 12 ongoing RKAT projects.

"RM42 million (has been allocated) to repair and upgrade the PDRM residential quarters," he said.

Tengku Zafrul added that RM28 million had been allocated to continue the construction of three living quarters under the Prisons Department next year, including at the Labuan Correctional Centre and the Correctional Academy of Malaysia.

Meanwhile, he said a 50 per cent discount on public transport under the management of Prasarana would be offered to 21,000 MAF veteran and police retiree card holders in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang and Penang.

-- BERNAMA