Malaysia Perlu Pertingkatkan Sistem Pertahanan Negara

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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia needs to consolidate its defence hardware – its ships and planes and improve communications to boost its defence capabilities as the country grapples with a variety of maritime threats, according to Honeywell Aerospace.

The main risks for the Southeast Asian nation include China’s assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea, piracy, and border incursions by militant groups in Borneo, Mark Burgess, Asia Pacific vice-president of defence and space at Honeywell Aerospace, said in an interview on March 15.

While a large investment in defence isn’t necessary, Malaysia should get more out of the assets it already owns, he said.

“It’s too fragmented, there are too many different types of equipment,” Burgess said of Malaysia’s defence as military officials, manufacturers and suppliers from around the world meet this week at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition.

“They need to consolidate and have fewer types of aircraft, ships and vehicles. And I think on the command and control side, communication is really integral.”

Malaysia’s defence budget for this year is the least since 2012, according to IHS Jane’s, which said the 12% decline from 2016 was the largest cut made to defence in almost two decades.

The government set aside RM15 billion (US$3.4 billion) of military spending this year, or 5.8% of the total annual public expenditure.

Burgess didn’t specify what planes or ships in particular might no longer be necessary. Malaysia’s naval fleet includes frigates, corvette warships, fast attack craft and two submarines.

Kidnappings, piracy

China claims more than 80% of the South China Sea, where it has constructed features on seven rocks and reefs and installed military facilities. Several Southeast Asian nations and Taiwan also claim parts of the area, through which more than US$5 trillion of trade passes each year.

Kidnappings in the state of Sabah on Borneo island perpetrated by groups such as the Abu Sayyaf have kept Malaysian forces on edge. Air and naval surveillance are integral in policing the area around Borneo, Burgess said, adding it’s important to have the ability for officials to communicate with one another rapidly, effectively and in real time.

Global defence contractors are circling for business in Asia, with countries from Australia to Vietnam upgrading and adding everything from submarines to fighter jets as China expands its military reach.

Japan, South Korea and Taiwan represent the biggest markets in the Asia-Pacific region for Honeywell’s defence business, and Australia is growing fast with significant investments being undertaken, Burgess said.

Honeywell’s current business in Malaysia is primarily in the commercial space, with helicopters. Southeast Asia doesn’t represent significant growth opportunities, though the company is seeing some increase there and expects it to make up 10% to 15% of its regional revenue, Burgess said.

Super-M

*KERAJAAN DIGESA TINGKATKAN BAJET ASET KETENTERAAN UNTUK KESELAMATAN RAKYAT*

Saya mengambil maklum mengenai kenyataan bekas bridiger jeneral iaitu Datuk Mohd Arshad Raji mengenai kekurangan peruntukan aset TUDM, sehingga mengakibatkan penangguhan pembelian aset dan keterpaksaan mengoptimumkan keupayaan aset ketenteraan yang sudah lapuk.

Merujuk pada Bajet 2017, Kementerian Pertahanan hanya memperoleh anggaran RM3.37 billion untuk tujuan pembangunan, iaitu berkurangan sebanyak RM473 juta berbanding Belanjawan 2016 yang asal.

Disebabkan faktor geopolitik yang semakin mencabar, ditambah lagi dengan aktiviti terorisme yang semakin menular, Malaysia memerlukan aset ketenteraan yang mencukupi dan berfungsi dengan baik bagi meningkatkan tahap kesiapsiagaan menghadapi musuh yang tidak terjangka.

Kerajaan Persekutuan seharusnya melabur dalam industri persenjataan dan menaiktaraf teknologi kenderaan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia yang sedia ada. Pembangunan ketenteraan seharusnya berada pada tahap yang optimum, bukannya dipandang sepi oleh sesetengah pihak pemerintah. Insiden Lahad Datu telah membuktikan keperluan untuk menyediakan logistik yang mencukupi, serta ditempatkan di kedua-kedua belah Semenanjung dan Borneo dalam jumlah aset yang mencukupi.

Tambahan pula, kejadian dua orang tentera yang terjatuh di Pulau Perak pada bulan Oktober lepas menunjukkan bahawa kerajaan seharusnya mengutamakan pembangunan infrastruktur demi keselamatan tentera yang mengawal di sempadan negara. Saya mempertanggungjawabkan kepada kementerian atas kejadian ini oleh sebab infrastruktur yang ada di kepulauan tersebut masih tidak cukup, khusunya bekalan air, elektrik dan juga kemudahan-kemudahan komunikasi.

Di samping menambahkan peruntukan untuk pembangunan Kementerian Pertahanan terutama bagi perolehan aset ketenteraan, saya juga menggesa Kerajaan telus dalam proses pembelian aset seperti pemilihan kontrak dan pengamalan tender secara terbuka. Saya mahu memastikan Malaysia berjaya memperoleh lebih banyak aset ketenteraan pada masa yang terdekat tanpa mencipta skandal atau unsur-unsur rasuah, kronisme dan penipuan.

Laksamana Pertama (B) YB Mohamad Imran Abd Hamid
Ahli Parlimen Lumut
Parti Keadilan Rakyat