Putrajaya's defence spending is taking a back seat to efforts to save the ailing bumiputera institutions Tabung Haji and Felda, said Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.
Mohamad said that while the ministry’s allocated expenditure under Budget 2019 is untouched other than operational expenses - and it still gets supplementary finances - spending on defence assets will only be done as necessary.
"(Asset purchases) is based on necessity and the country's financial capability.
"A lot of money is being used to save destroyed institutions - Tabung Haji and Felda – even though the Pakatan Harapan government is accused of not caring about bumiputera issues.
"If (these institutions) are not saved, there will be an economic disaster not just for Tabung Haji and Felda, but also for Malaysia," Mohamad said at a group interview at the Defence Ministry yesterday.
The Pakatan Harapan-led government had allocated RM6.3 billion to rescue Felda and another RM17.8 billion on Tabung Haji for a total of RM24.1 billion.
The government said this is a result of serious mismanagement of both institutions under BN rule.
Fast interceptor boats
Despite focusing on saving these two government agencies, Mohamad said the Defence Ministry has still been able to allocate over RM79 million for RM500 Hari Raya Aidilfitri aid to veterans who are in the B40 (bottom 40 percent) group.
He said the ministry has also received a supplementary budget to procure fast interceptor craft (FIC). The purchase is still in progress, he said.
The defence minister expects the government's finances to improve in due time, and said that foreign investments have been encouraging.
As for ministry projects that are put on hold due to investigations in alleged wrongdoings, he said these are expected to resume by July. - Mkini
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