PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced several new initiatives to empower national enforcement agencies, including an allocation of RM100 million to enhance enforcement equipment and capabilities.

Anwar, who is Finance Minister, also urged Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood to disburse the RM100 million allocation to the enforcement agencies by the end of next week at the latest.

"I agree to the RM100 million allocation (to be used) in the remaining six months (this year) to meet the needs of the agencies.

"Treasury secretary-general, please expedite this. Hopefully, they can get the allocation by end of next week at the latest...If not, let me know," he said at the Cakna MADANI programme with enforcement agencies here today.

The six agencies are the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Prisons Department, the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department, and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.

"The current allowance is somehow inadequate, and some of them (enforcement personnel) have to use their own money," he said.

Anwar said his Unity Government always prioritises the safety and wellbeing of enforcement personnel serving the country.

"This matter (safety and wellbeing) has been raised in numerous meetings, especially when we see how the enforcement agencies, such as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Immigration Department, are facing risk and challenges while discharging their duties at the country's borders.

"Rest assured that the government is giving attention to this matter and is doing something about it," he said.


-- BERNAMA