THE procurement of arms supplies required by the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) will be determined by experts to avoid leakages, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He said most asset procurement will be done via the government-to-government approach.

“Defence readiness will be further strengthened via the procurement of additional assets to modernise the MAF, which serves as a bastion of national security.

“The government has agreed to further strengthen defence preparedness by acquiring additional assets such as armoured vehicles, drones, littoral combat ships, helicopters and light combat aircraft,” he said when tabling the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review (12MP) in parliament today.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said strengthening national security and defence required leaks in asset procurement be addressed immediately to ensure national defence preparedness.

Anwar said the government will optimise security controls at the country’s borders by upgrading the operation control centre and building a new base for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

“The government will also upgrade the maritime surveillance system and radar tower for remote sensing, upgrade and build the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex at certain points of entry,” he said.

He said a new MAF checkpoint will be built along Sabah and Sarawak’s border with Indonesia, as well as a naval base in Bintulu, Sarawak.

Anwar also told the Dewan Rakyat nearly 55,000 cybercrime cases involving losses worth RM1.8 billion were reported from 2021 until July this year.

The government will amend existing laws to assist the fight against cybercrime, he said. – Bernama, September 11, 2023.