KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry (Mindef) will focus on its assets, maintenance of existing ones, housing and the veterans with the additional allocation of RM1.23 billion it receives in the 2023 Budget.
Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the amount was an additional 7.8 per cent from this year.
During the tabling of the 2023 Budget, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced an allocation of RM17.4 billion for Mindef.
"I'm thankful because the prime minister and the Ministry of Finance for taking into account the needs of the ministry, based on what was discussed during the engagement sessions.
"We hope to channel the additional amount to the four things as mentioned earlier," he told reporters after the tabling of the 2023 Budget today.
Meanwhile, Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the allocation of the budget to develop cities bordering Thailand and Kalimantan, Indonesia, not only would develop the country's borders, but also ensure the nation's security.
"This is one of our new focuses from now on."
Earlier in the budget, the government announced an allocation of RM150 million to develop cities bordering Thailand and Kalimantan, including Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah, Kalabakan in Sabah as well as Tebedu and Bakelalan in Sarawak at a cost of RM150 million.
The government plans to start the preliminary works with the construction of a new road from Kalabakan to Simanggaris in Kalimantan, and to upgrade Sarawak's Serian-Tebedu Road to the Indonesian border.
Commenting on the budget, Fadillah said: "Alhamdulillah for the relatively large allocation, not only for Sabah and Sarawak, but for the whole country in the context of infrastructure development."
A total of RM6.3 billion and RM5.4 billion were allocated in the next year's budget for Sabah and Sarawak respectively.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said next year's budget was for the younger generation, as it took into account various sectors for the group, especially job opportunities and the youth.
"This is important because we are in a challenging economic phase and with the various incentives offered, I believe it would benefit the younger generation," he said.