KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry today saw the signing of 14 contracts with deals worth over RM2.1 billion with local companies.
Among the high impact contracts signed today are the acquisition of a multipurpose police transport vessel as a cargo carrier (Mother Ship) and training for the police as well as the acquisition of four medium lift helicopters for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
In total, the ministry signed 12 contracts for the police (RM1.5 billion), one contract for MMEA (RM529 million) and one contract for the National Registration Department (RM52.3 million).
The deals, worth RM2,156,453,991.77 in total, were signed at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (Natsec) Asia 2024 exhibitions.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the signing ceremony of these contracts is also symbolic of the government's efforts to ensure the security of the nation from all threats through prioritising the acquisition of strategic assets.
He said that the police received the highest number of MoU reflects their commitment towards the police force.
"If we look at the MoUs signed, it also includes logistics, assets and others. It indicates how the Home Ministry positions the police as a crucial agency that should be given support especially to ensure their readiness level, and this is seen in the amount of development allocation obtained by the police.
"At the same time, for the MMEA, it aligns with their core duty of controlling the nation's maritime areas that is wide and vulnerable to smuggling, illegal fishing and kidnap for ransom, among others.
"Because of that, today we signed a contract to supply four helicopter units, which are slated to be completed the next two years," he said.
The contracts were signed by the Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi together with representatives of local companies.
It was witnessed by Saifuddin, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah and Home Ministry deputy secretary-general (Management) Dr Abdul Gapar Abu Bakar, MMEA deputy director-general Laksamana Madya Datuk Saiful Lizan Ibrahim and National Registration Department director-general Badrul Hisham Alias.