Page 8 - DSA 2022 Day 1 - Online Magazine

MALAYSIA TO UPGRADE

MILITARY INFRA

Malaysian government plans to focus nation’s investment in UN peacekeep- efforts are being made to contain defenve
on upgrading the infrastructure of the ing missions, and regional debates with spending, the plan remains in place to
Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), and neighbouring nations, such as, Brunei modernise the country’s fleet through
replacing equipment used by the MAF’s over Limbang, Louisa, and Mariveles, streamlining and increasing the number
special operations forces with a budget Indonesia over Ambalat, the Philippines of multi-role vessels and vehicles.
of MYR16.14 billion (USD3.9 billion) in the over Ardasier and Erica, and Thailand
year 2022. The budget allocation rep- over Ko Kra and Ko Losin, appear to be “MALAYSIA HAS MADE SOME
resents a 1.8 per cent increase over the the the major drivers deciding Malaysian PROGRESS ON DEFENCE
original allocation in 2021 of MYR15.86 defence expenditure. With this trend REFORM, BUT MANY KEY
billion. expected to continue, the country is pro-
jected to cumulatively spend US$18 billion AGENDA ITEMS STATED IN ITS
Malaysia’s Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul by 2024, defence analysts predict. FIRST DEFENCE WHITE PAPER
Aziz said a total of RM1.6 billion was allo- (DWP) REMAIN UNFULFILLED.
cated to enhance the preparedness of Also with a shifting political landscape, DELAY IS EXPECTED GIVEN
main assets of the Malaysian Armed conflicting claims to islands in the South
Forces and RM14 million to replace the China Sea and budgetary restraints, THE CHALLENGING PAST
main equipment of the PASKAL (Naval Malaysia’s defence approach for the TWO YEARS, BUT THERE
Special Forces) and PASKAU (Air Force coming years reflects a changing envi- IS A NEW URGENCY TO
Special Air Service) including parachutes, ronment. The first-ever defence White IMPLEMENT THESE REFORMS
underwater breathing gears and boats. Paper published in late 2019 focusses
The military’s modernisation projects, the on the domestic defence industry. While WITH THE INCREASINGLY
TENSE GEOPOLITICAL
ENVIRONMENT,” noted Ivy KWEK,
a former Special Functions Officer with
the Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence.

Malaysia’s defence exports have been
negligible due to the absence of an
advanced and developed domestic
defence industry. Malaysia’s goal is for
the domestic market to gain capabilities
through collaborations and technology
transfers, thus reducing its reliance on
defence imports. Malaysia has enforced
a robust defence offset policy to enhance
the participation of its local industries.
The country seeks to develop capabilities

8 | MARCH 28, 2022 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/DAIL YNEWS