Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu has refuted Umno's Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein's claim that his ministry was taking too long to come up with the Defence White Paper, telling his predecessor that the document was not a case of writing an ordinary essay.
He added that contrary to Hishammuddin's claim of delays, the Defence White Paper will be tabled during this Parliament sitting as planned.
"Be patient. The White Paper is not an ordinary essay. There is no delay. it will be tabled this sitting. He has gotten his information wrong," he told journalists at the Parliament lobby today.
However, Mohamad said Dewan Rakyat needed to make way for the budget debate first, meaning that the Defence White Paper would still be tabled this sitting but likely be pushed back until December.
"In the context of defence assets, it will take time and terrorists will not wait for our White Paper," said Hishammuddin.
The White Paper is expected to outline the Defence Ministry's 10-year plan.
Meanwhile, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Rahah Ahmad came to Mohamad's defence, who is also his Amanah colleague.
Raja Bahrin said in contrast to the Defence Ministry now, the ministry was plagued with problems during the BN-era.
He said the problems included the acquisition of assets through negotiated tender and the acquisition of the scandal-plagued Scorpene submarines.
He also accused Hishammuddin of being "weak" in the handling of the Lahad Datu incursion in 2013.
"Hishammuddin should look in a mirror before he criticised the ministry's performance today," he said. - Mkini
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