Defence Minister to announce plans to increase devolution of power to state in the next few days
Hishammuddin (left) and Zulkifeli perform the pinning of the rank on Adenan. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) will announce plans in the next few days that will further guarantee the autonomy, security and pride of Sarawak and its people.
This was disclosed by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein after a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday.
“I held discussions with the Chief Minister and he has given approval to the focus to be given by Mindef following our Roadmap 2016 retreat in Genting Highlands recently, which is to assure the people and state of Sarawak that we will do whatever we can to ensure that the autonomy, safety and pride of Sarawak are safeguarded.
“We will announce something in the next one or two days since I am on three-day working visit to Sarawak. All the planning reviewed by Mindef and Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) for Sarawak will take into account the current economic constraints so as not to affect our core business,that is to ensure safety of Sarawak.
“Whatever assets we have planned, either under 11th Malaysia Plan or for the year 2016 for Sarawak will not be affected as well,” he told reporters after leading a delegation of senior officers from Mindef and ATM for the courtesy call on Adenan.
The meeting held at the Chief Minister’s Office also saw Adenan being conferred with the rank of honorary Brigadier General of the Territorial Army by the Malaysian Armed Forces Council.
Hishammuddin and Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Dr Zulkifeli Mohd Zin performed the pinning of the rank on Adenan who had put on Territorial Army uniform for this historic event.
On another matter, Hishammuddin said their discussions also touched on the welfare and socio-economy of armed forces personnel, veterans and members of the Territorial Army and family members.
He said their welfare and socio-economy was one of the five core values focused on by Mindef and ATM during the Mindef Roadmap 2016 retreat in Genting Highlands in the middle of last month.
“Having assets alone is not enough if the personnel are not in comfortable position and not in high spirits.
“That is why welfare and socio-economy was one of the cores during the Mindef Roadmap 2016.
Adenan (left) and Hishammuddin share a light moment.
“For example, the education of the children of our armed forces personnel. They now go to school using bus, no longer board the 3-tonne army truck. The housing and camps are also upgraded…we are serious in taking care of and ensuring the welfare and socio-economy of our personnel even though we are facing uncertain global economy situation,” he said.
Among those present at the courtesy call were Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharom, MinDef secretary general Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohd Radzi, army chief General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and Army Reserve Division assistant commander Major General Datuk Mohd Dalib Nasir.
Joining the chief minister for the discussions were state ministers Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, Tan Sri William Mawan and Dato Sri Michael Manyin.