KUALA LUMPUR: The operations and responsibilities of security forces to ensure the security of the country will not be affected following the government’s decision to reschedule the purchase of non-critical assets.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and the Malaysian Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin gave their assurances following the decision of the government to rationalise the country’s expenditure.
Khalid said police would review all purchases of equipment in line with the move by the government.
“We will look into the priority of purchasing assets,” he said when contacted by Bernama on the announcement by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the matter in a special message on the country’s current economic development and financial position yesterday.
Najib said the government would reschedule all purchases of assets which were not critical especially office equipment, software and vehicles which could save the nation RM300 million.
Khalid said police would always ensure the savings would not affect the daily operations of the force.
Zulkifeli said the savings would not affect patrolling of the nation’s border as well as the operations of the national defence forces.
On the construction of a sea control and operations centre (Sea-Basing) to be built in the waters of Sabah, he said the project would continue as it would be financed by Petronas.
Petronas has given its commitment to provide the platform on the proposed implementation of the Sea-Basing system to improve the security in the waters of Sabah.
The proposal to build Sea-Basing followed several kidnapping incidents in Sabah with the latest case on May 6 last year involving Chinese national Yang Zai Lin, 34, who was a manager at an aquaculture farm in Pulau Baik, Lahad Datu, who was abducted by five armed men. — Bernama