THE cost-saving steps to be taken by the government will not jeopardise national security, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today. 

He said security aspects remained a national priority and projects such as the construction of camps or those related to border controls would not be affected.

“Security (aspects) will not be affected (with cost-saving measures), security will remain a priority,” he told reporters at the launch of the 2022 National Security Conference and the National Security Month Celebration today.

On Saturday, it was reported that the government would embark on cost-cutting measures with the aim of slashing 5% of its operating expenses with the savings to be spent on additional expenditures related to subsidies for the welfare of the people.

According to the Malaysian Treasury Circular – Guidelines on Public Expenditure Savings, the Finance Ministry indicated that global economic uncertainty, international geopolitical tensions as well as the sharp rise in global commodity and food prices had resulted in high inflationary pressures.

Ismail said further details on the cost-saving measures to be implemented would be announced by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed. – Bernama, July 19, 2022.