COMMENT | Govt must budget prudently on defence to address challenges

COMMENT | With the nation battling the pandemic and trying to recover from the economic slowdown, Budget 2021 must spend prudently to ensure that the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is properly equipped to defend Malaysia from our present and future challenges.

It is understandable that healthcare and social protection will be the main focus of this year’s budget, given the direct effects of the virus crisis on livelihoods and health.

However, we must remember that the existing budget is already underfunding the MAF’s core obligatory operations, notwithstanding commitments to increase readiness, capabilities, and expanded operational demands due to the pandemic.

It is important to remember that amid the pandemic, Malaysia continues to face other national security concerns that persist, such as the increasing tensions in the South China Sea, a fluid security situation in Sabah with the ongoing kidnap-for-ransom activities in the Sulu Sea, as well as the claim staked by the Philippines.

As defence planning is a long, multi-year process, failure to invest in the future of our national defence will have opportunity costs that will not serve the nation’s interests in the long run. With strained national resources, it is important for us to maximise the value of a limited budget with proper prioritisation and good stewardship of money.

Projek Pertiwi proposes six focus areas for the government to fix given a limited budget:

1. Improve MAF readiness by systematically replacing obsolete equipment and plan procurement for the future force

Aging and obsolescent equipment is a major priority that needs to be rectified to improve MAF’s readiness and capabilities. We need to “do more with less”, spending on assets should provide optimal impact. This is especially pertinent given that many assets still in MAF service are at least two decades old, with some approaching 60 years. The S-61A Nuri helicopters, which have been in MAF service since 1967 and have suffered several crashes and caused fatalities, is a very good case in point.

2. Enhance MAF capabilities in the maritime domain

Malaysia benefits immensely from our rich maritime resources such as oil & gas and fisheries, and at the same time, our principal threats are coming from the sea. Hence, it is very important for the government to enhance MAF capabilities in the maritime domain. This is particularly crucial considering that the Littoral Combat Ship program is far behind schedule.

3. Develop our cyber electromagnetic capabilities

As the MAF continues to evolve technologically, so too must its ability to protect the information technology infrastructure that will become an increasingly important key enabler. To that end, we welcome the Chief of Defence Forces’ announcement of a Cyber Command that will be responsible for both of these mission sets. The government must ensure that this mission profile is given the appropriate recognition in terms of funding and integration.

4. Strengthen the welfare for military personnel and veterans

Military personnel have had to expose themselves to extra risk during the MCO while many veterans have lost their income due to the economic impact of MCO. The efforts to improve the living quarters for service personnel must also be continued. Having a decent living condition and peace of mind that their family is safe is important for the morale of the soldiers, who are carrying out their duty away from home.

Overall, the Ministry has to adopt a new paradigm when it comes to ensuring the welfare of retired personnel. Although welfare spending here remains important, considerations must be made to help facilitate their adjustment to civilian life and getting decent jobs.

5. Step up defence diplomacy

Many exercises as well as staff and defence college exchanges have been postponed this year, but these initiatives are key to fostering vital networks and familiarisation with defence partners. A limited budget warrants Malaysia to more clearly define its foreign and national security priorities so that international defence engagements are focused and relevant.

6. Invest in our defence industry

Investment in the defence sector should be focused on developing niche areas in our defence industry that best supports the Malaysian Armed Forces’ transformation along with interest-based requirements, while also creating new high-paying jobs which will be sorely needed in the post-Covid-19 economy.

The focus needs to be given on some basic defence needs as well as more high-value-added, dual-use, and niche sectors, such as shipbuilding and cyber capabilities in order to create limited self-reliance. The government must play a direct role in investing and steering these developments so that the industry does not remain vendor-driven.

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PROJEK PERTIWI is an online collective by Malaysians to provide a platform for discourse on defense and security issues. For enquiries, contact projekpertiwi@gmail.com.