Reality check for Mindef after budget cuts

THE Pakatan Harapan government needs to do a reality check on its promises and allocations pertaining to the Defence Ministry in its Budget 2019, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

The former defence minister said Pakatan reduced the ministry’s budget and questioned if it is able to buy military assets on its restricted allocations.

“The Defence Minister (Mohamad Sabu) said the ministry would like to purchase some (military assets), but the allocation has been reduced by RM2bil.

“Previously (during the Barisan Nasional administration), we were unable to purchase such assets. How is he going to convince the people that they can do so now with Budget 2019?” he asked during a press conference at the Parliament lobby.

Hishammuddin said the allocation for maintenance of the military assets has also been reduced.

“If you say you are going to purchase assets, where is that money coming from?” he asked.

Hishamuddin said it was unclear what Mohamad meant when he said he will uphold defence diplomacy.

“I don’t see the direction of Mindef (Defence Ministry) now in terms of our relationship with China. And most importantly, the trilateral ties between Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia in han- dling terrorism in the South of Mindanao.

“The air and sea patrols, I don’t see that happening.

“I’m worried about what is being said and the facts of reality and transparency in the Pakatan Budget,” he added.

Hishammuddin also said that while Mohamad said that Sabah will be protected, allocations for the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone) has been scrapped.