KUALA LUMPUR: A Defence Industry Policy will be launched soon aimed at stimulating the country's economy through the defence sector.
Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said with this new policy, the ministry would boost the defence industrial sector, and bring in returns not just in terms of the country's security but also help strengthen the economy.
"Sometimes the argument is that we (the Defence Ministry) do not bring any economic returns, despite being given huge allocations.
"So I have made a decision to launch a Defence Industry Policy soon (to address this)," he said when asked about his ministry's hopes for the 2023 Budget, which would be tabled in Parliament on Oct 7.
Speaking to reporters after chairing the National Veterans' Council (MVK) meeting here today, Hishammuddin stressed the importance of the defence sector in spite of constraints that the government may face due to the current global economic landscape.
He said that although he accepted such constraints, he hoped the Finance Ministry would understand that the value of safety and defence was not something that could be measured by money.
"We have held engagement sessions for the Budget with the Finance Ministry, and we hope it will be well accepted," he said.
On today's meeting, he said the Finance Minister and Public Services Department (PSD) director-general would be invited as permanent members of the MVK.
This, he said, was part of the ministry's efforts to restructure the MVK, of which he is the chair.
"This is to allow the Finance Ministry and PSD to better understand the Defence Ministry's issues, as well as the needs and planning matters related to the armed forces veterans."
Hishammuddin said the restructuring of MVK would ensure the council was more focused and realistic in tackling the needs of armed forces veterans.
"This is important considering the large number of veterans from the armed forces which stands at nearly 300,000."
At the press conference, Hishammuddin announced that Major-General Zambery @ Jefry Darus was the new Veteran Affairs Department director-general.