KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — MPs have suggested that the government strengthen the national defence system in light of the current global geopolitical tensions.
During the debate of the Supply Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat today, Batu Pahat MP Onn Abu Bakar said that allocations for the Defence Ministry (Mindef) should be increased to strengthen national defence and to overcome regional threats, especially through the procurement of new assets.
He said Malaysia should learn from the sinking of the Royal Malaysian Navy ship KD Pendekar off Tanjung Penyusop in Johor recently, which was due to the vessel’s age.
Tanah Merah MP Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz urged the government to ensure that the Malaysian Army is supplied with assets according to personnel specifications and needs.
“In Mindef, procurement must be user driven and not contractor driven as this is vital to ensure our military has quality assets that are suitable to their needs,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi said Malaysia cannot take security lightly, and proposed a reformation of the national defence system be immediately done, and to strengthen the Defence White Paper with strategic approaches, especially in air defence.
He said the country needed to strengthen its satellite capabilities to manage the airspace and introduce air defence systems.
“We also need to add the number and capabilities of our combat aircraft or jet fighters, upgrade our anti-ballistic missile systems to ward off any possible attacks,” Dr Zulkafperi said.
— Bernama
