Self-defence reason behind boosting countrys military capabilities: Shafie

comments     Beh Lih Yi     Published     Updated

The modernisation of Malaysia's military capabilities was for self-defence and not offensive purposes, Deputy Defence Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal told the Dewan Rakyat today.

According to him, Malaysia practised the strategy of deterrence and self-reliance when it came to the country's defence.

"The weapons that we purchased are meant for self-defence only, not for the purpose of fighting with anyone," the deputy minister explained.

Shafie was replying to a supplementary question from opposition MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong) who wanted to know who country's 'enemy' was and against whom the country's deterrence strategy was targeted at.

The deputy minister clarified that the development of a country's defence capabilitities was in tandem with its economic progress, citing an analogy of a wealthy person needing a better security system for his home to prevent theft.

"For example, if a man becomes increasingly rich, the more he will have to prevent thieves from entering his house. He could either put his money in the bank or hire a bodyguard," he said.

The deputy minister also took a swipe at the opposition by jokingly saying that the "rocket launchers bought by the government were aimed at DAP".

The opposition party uses the rocket as its logo.

Increased allocation

Earlier, Dr Yusof Yacob (BN-Sipitang) requested for the plans and government's allocation to modernise and increase weapons for the Malaysian Armed Forces.

The deputy minister said the increase in the allocation for defence equipment was an ongoing process.

"This is consistent with the need of the country's defence in the regional security scenario, development of defence technology and ICT, as well as the country's financial capability," he said.

He added the improvement of weapons which were the 'force-multiplier' was the core of the whole programme.

The modersination will include the procurement of 'unmanned aerial vehicles', 'airborne early warning systems', and weapons of strategic capability such as submarines, and rocket launchers.

Shafie also said that the armed forces was also replacing and upgrading its old weapons besides buying new weapons.



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