KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak unveiled the 10th Malaysian Plan this morning. The allocated ceiling budget for the plan is RM230 billion of which 10 per cent is allocated to the Security sector.
No details of the allocation was released and no one is saying officially how much of the RM23 billion will be allocated between defence and national security.
It will be easy for the army to move out from Sg Udang as most of the commandoes are already at the Mersing camp but it will be much harder for TUDM to move out from Sg Besi.
Going from the emphasis on national security, I am assuming that defence will probably get at the most RM18 billion or it could be even lower although I dont think it will go below RM15 billion. Najib did say that the full details of the spending plan for the next two years will be made public in August but the numbers above does not augur well for the armed forces wish list.
Listed below are projects that had been officially announced for RMK10. Most of the figures are mine however and therefore provisional, unless noted.
1) NGPV Batch II (at least RM6 billion)
2) MPSS (RM2.2 billion, confirmed figure)
3) EC725 (RM1.6 billion, confirmed figure)
4) Nuri Upgrade (RM500 million, my estimate)
5) C130 Upgrade (RM400 million, my estimate)
4) A400M (RM2.5 billion, my estimate)
6) AV8 (RM4 billion with another RM4 billion to borne out in RMK11, my estimate)
With only 6 projects we are already reaching the upper limit of my estimate for the defence allocation. And thats not counting the other projects, AWACs, M4, SPH etc.
If you count these projects you know that Mindef cannot afford all of them. One also must not forget that Mindef also need to spend a lot of money to modernise camps around the country. Oh, they also need to replace a lot of trucks…
KUALA LUMPUR: Contrary to the statements by the Defence Minister recently that RMAF Fuclrums will be retired soon, these jets are expected to remain in service for at least another two years. In fact, the PAT in his Armed Forces Day interview told the press that RMAF is conducting a mid-life review of the fleet. The service lives of these Fulcrums could be extended further, Malaysian Defence is informed, if the Government funded their SLEP which will see them flying at least until 2017.
So why is the Fulcrum being targeted for retirement when it remained serviceable? Its the high cost of maintenance as mentioned in our earlier postings. But there is more too that.
The high cost of maintainance has nothing to do with the Russian archaic logistics system (well it may affect it to some degree) but apparently the real culprit lies squarely on the New Economic Policy, which mandated that government procurement must be done via Bumiputera companies.
So the powers-that-be mandated that several companies, duly registered with the Ministry of Finance, are selected as the panel of spares and parts provider for the Fulcrum fleet. The system is also mandatory for other Armed Forces (government) equipment apart from those arms purchased from the United States. So whenever the air force or its maintainance provider, ATSC, need spares or parts/ stuff to keep these planes flying, they have to order them from the panel of companies, which in turn, buy them from the Russians or God knows whom.
So what does these middlemen in turn do to the Armed Forces? Instead of being grateful, they, of course, does the opposite, making sure the cost of spares and parts to be exorbitantly high, thus ensuring the maintainance of the Fulcrums to be a costly affair. Coupled with other dirty tactics to ensure maximum profits, RMAF Fulcrum fleet has turned into a maintainance black hole.
Thats the reason, Kementah wanted to kill off the Fulcrums. Good riddance they say. Forgetting of course, there are many other equipment in the Armed Forces which spares and parts are dependent on the Mafia. Flankers, Scorpene, A109s, Nuri…welll the list goes on…..
KUALA LUMPUR: The death of the two RMAF pilots in last week crash in Langkawi highlighted the top to bottom mentality that continue to prevail over Jalan Padang Tembak. Instead of highlighting our soldiers, airmen and sailors, Kementah, especially its website continue to be a platform for its political masters.
Just look at their website.
So my colleagues in the daily press (see Utusan story) had to disturb the bereaved family members for interviews and even worse, pictures. I remembered doing just that several years back. I know its sad but we simply trying to honour our fallen heroes but the powers that be seemed oblivious to the fact.
Click here for examples from other countries which had realised that while the politicians come and go, its the soldiers, airmen and sailors that are the focal point of the services.
The Malaysian syndrome has been going on for years now as long as I could remember. It happened before I joined the media, it happened during the time I was a full time reporter and I half expect that it will continue into the near future. Of course they could still could include the politicians in the website but hogging the bandwidth is simply sacrilegious. Whatever happened to the 1Malaysia concept of Putting the People First, just another slogan?
I had hoped that with the new administration, Jalan Padang Tembalk will revolutionise its PR since the department now got a new civilian boss, brought in from the outside to bring in new ideas and concepts. Furthermore, the Minister got two PR types working for him and nation’s media behind him. There is no need for him to hog the Kementah bandwith. But it seemed nothing has changed.
KUALA LUMPUR: Listed below is the procurement tenders issued from Aug 1 to Aug 17 by the Ministry of Defence. Further reading.
Tenders Advertised on 14 Aug,2009
1) KP(PERO 2)A/T 315/2009 Closing Date 08.09.09 Cost of Tender Documents: 50.00
Pembekalan dan Penghantaran Alatganti Serta Perkhidmatan Senggaraan Bridge Shiphandling Simulator Untuk Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia (Supply and Delivery of Spare Parts together with Maintenance Services for RMN Bridge Handling Simulator)
(Kod Bidang/Scope Code : 190203 dan 220106)
Masih Diiklankan/Still advertised)
Pembekalan dan Penghantaran Alatganti Peralatan Menyelam Untuk Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia
(Supply and Delivery Spares of Diving Equipment for the Royal Malaysian Navy)
(Kod Bidang/Scope Code 190300)
Masih Diiklankan
Membekal, Menghantar, menguji dan Mentauliah Fire Fighting Protective Clothing Bagi Kapal-Kapal dan Pasukan Bomba Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia (TLDM)
(Supply, delivery, testing and commissioning of Fire Fighting Protective Clothing for Vessels and Fire Department of the Royal Malaysian Navy)
(Kod Bidang/Scope Code: 030200)
Tenders issued on Aug 14, 2009
1) X0201120501090015 (KP(PERO 6)B/T 276/2009) Closing Date: 10.09.09 (Khamis) jam 12.00 tengah hari
Cost of Tender Documents: Via ePerolehan
Perkhidmatan Membaiki But/Kasut Kawad Di MSS Kuching *Boot/Drill Shoes Repair Services at MSS Kuching (Kod Bidang/Source Code: 221405) Masih Diiklankan
Syarat Khas Bil 1/Special Requirements
1. Petender-petender diwajibkan menghadiri taklimat tender seperti berikut: (All potential tenderer must attend the tender briefing at the venue and dates below)
Tempat : MSS Kuching,
Kem Penrissen,
93677 Kuching, Sarawak
Tarikh : 20 Ogos 2009 (Khamis)
Masa : 02.30 petang
2. X0201120501090016 (KP(PERO 4)C/T 316/2009) Closing Date: 10.09.09 (Khamis) jam 12.00 tengah hari
Cost of Documents: Secara ePerolahan
Membekal dan Menghnatar Rangsum Penerbangan TUDM Kuching (supply and delivery of flight rations for RMAF Kuching)
(Kod Bidang/Source Code : 080501 dan 080400) Masih Diiklankan
Syarat Khas Bil 2: (Special Requirements)
1. Petender-petender diwajibkan menghadiri taklimat tender seperti berikut: (All potential tenderer must attend the special briefing at the venue listed below.
Tempat : Pegawai Memerintah,
Pangkalan TUDM Kuching,
92300 Kuching, Sarawak
Tarikh : 20 Ogos 2009 (Khamis)
Masa : 10.00 pagi
Tender advertised on 11 Aug, 2009
1) X0201120501090014 (KP(PERO 6)C/T 238/2009) Closing Date: 08.09.09 (Selasa) jam 12.00 tengah hari
Cost of Tender: Secara ePerolehan (via ePerolehan)
Perkhidmatan Dobi dan Jahitan Di Institut Latihan Tentera Udara (ILTU) Ipoh Perak (Laundry and Tailoring Services at the Institut Latihan Tentera Udara, Ipoh Perak.
(Kod Bidang/ Source Code : 221708 dan 220900) Masih Diiklankan
Syarat Khas Bil 1/ Special Requirements:
1. Petender-petender diwajibkan menghadiri taklimat tender seperti berikut/All potential tenderer must attend the special briefing at the venue listed below.
Tempat : Bilik Bunga Tanjung
Bahagian Perolehan
Tingkat 4, Wisma Pertahanan,
Jalan Padang Tembak,
50634 Kuala Lumpur
KUALA LUMPUR: ON occasions, Malaysian Defence have received queries on how and when the Armed Forces are recruiting officers and men for the three services. I believed I had directed to these queries to the appropriate channels and hopefully these people are enjoying their stint in the armed forces.
Well, now thanks to the Internet, the Government had decided to expand the Armed Forces recruitment online.
Pengambilan Graduan untuk berkhidmat sebagai pegawai dalam perkhidmatan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia. Angkatan Tentera Malaysia(ATM) mempelawa warganegara Malaysia yang berkelayakan untuk berkhidmat sebagai Pegawai dalam perkhidmatan dalam Tentera Darat Malaysia(TDM) bagi Kor Agama Angkatan Tentera, Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia(TLDM) dan Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia. Syarat kelayakan dan cara permohonan boleh disemak melaui laman web TLDM dipautan Infokerjaya/Pegawai. Permohonan juga boleh dilakukan melalui online dilaman web JobsMalaysia.gov.my .
* Pemohon digalakkan mengemukakan permohonan online, Hanya calon-calon yang disenaraikan pendek akan dipanggil untuk ujian dan temuduga di pusat pemilihan yang ditetapkan. Mereka yang tidak menerima sebarang notis temuduga dan ujian pemilihan DUA(2) minggu dari tarikh tutup permohonan adalah dianggap tidak berjaya. Tarikh Tutup Permohonan : 12 Ogos 2009.
Those with the right paper qualifications and the heart should enlist ASAP before the deadline. Be prepared to sacrifice…
KUALA LUMPUR: Yes, Tuanku. We do appreciate our warriors. But we are wondering whether or not those with the powers that be do appreciate them. Especially those still in the firing line…..
Appreciate Our Warriors, Says Yang Di-pertuan Agong
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Thursday called on all Malaysians in the spirit of 1Malaysia show their appreciation to warriors still living or the widows and next-of-kin of those who have perished.
He said Malaysians owed a great deal these warriors who put their lives on the line to defend the sovereignty of Malaysia.
“Many among them sacrificed their lives on the battlefield to protect the freedom were are enjoying today,” Tuanku Mizan said in his Warriors Day message broadcast on the RTM1 television channel here tonight.
Tuanku Mizan also praised the government for valuing their contributions and always giving priority to the welfare of warriors and their families.
He also called on members of the security forces to follow in these warriors footsteps towards ensuring peace and stability.
“To warriors still living but became disabled and to families who lost their breadwinners in their (warriors’) sacrifices for our beloved nation, I hope they will be able to meet challenges that they may face with full fortitude,” he said.
KUALA LUMPUR: The story from Bernama below is self-explainatory. But one must look at the proposal very carefully lest the same thing that had occurred before wont be repeated. Do I need to recite the development of the Jalan Ampang TA camp before we rush into similar schemes in the near future?
I doubt the Armed Forces are ready for another round of re-development of its precious real estates under the built and transfer scheme. Most of the past projects turned out to be nothing more than Quick Rich Schemes for those with the right connections. And it is the Armed Forces and its personnel had to bear the consequences….
Malaysian Defence understands that some of the camps in urban areas in the country are no longer strategically located but with the depressing real estate prices during this hard times, one wonder whether its wise to start redevelopment programmes.
IPOH, July 24 (Bernama) -- The defence ministry is planning to relocate a number of city-based army camps to more strategic locations, said Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the relocation of the camps was now being studied and would be implemented in the nearest possible time.
“The move is a military strategy and not a political one. It is something we have to think about,” he told reporters after visiting the 2nd Brigade Headquarters here Friday.
He said placing several camps in the city was more suitable during the Emergency era but the location was no longer suitable due to the rapid pace of development and other factors.
He said a new location which provided a more systematic settlement that adhered to the needs of the Armed Forces corps needed to be identified, adding however, that the programme need not incur too much cost on the government.
Ahmad Zahid said mechanisms to reduce the cost incurred by the resettlement had been established, including using existing assets.
He said, an example of such settlements was in Perak where there were camps in Taiping and Lembah Kinta, but none elsewhere.
Initially Malaysian Defence thought the story was just to justify the issuance of the M4 Carbine to US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, in the face of field reports that the weapon was prone to jamming (which was true but it is easily fixed by fitting a plastic cap on the muzzle and religious cleaning) but the news story when further.
You can get the full story here. One can also download the full survey on the web page. Its about a survey “commissioned by the US Army’s Project Manager for Soldier Weapons to address concerns raised by soldiers returning from combat about the dependability and effectiveness of their small arms” in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As the study will be used by the US Army to “assess Soldier perspectives on the reliability and durability of their weapons systems in combat to aid in decisions regarding current and future small arms needs of the Army” perhaps the Malaysian Armed Forces officers involved in the tender exercise should also use it as a guideline when selecting the weapons to be selected for our soldier usage.
The study also becomes more pertinent to the Malaysian Armed Forces as the survey also touched on the effectiveness of accessories.
“Soldiers who attach accessories to their weapons experienced a disproportionate number of malfunctions, with M249 users nine times more likely to experience a stoppage “if accessories were attached via zip cord, four times more likely if attached with duct tape and three times more likely if attached with dummy cords or rails.”
“Accessory attachments had a significant impact on reported stoppages,” the report said. “Those who attached accessories to their weapon were more likely to experience stoppages, regardless of how the accessories were attached.”
Malaysian Defence on several occasions stated that we must learn from the experiences of US and NATO forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Learning from them does not mean that we are supporting their operations in both countries. Definitely not. ‘ But as another imperialist use to say before “Learning from the enemy is a virtue”
As for the other two? The mag is already in service in Malaysia but the HK gun was never used here, it is already been replaced the newer MG4. Just enjoy the show! If the YouTube link is slow go here
I sincerely hope Jen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal (pic) first act on assuming the Armed Forces chief post is to rescind the previous suggestion by his predecessor to use the term “Chief of Defence Forces” of his position.
CDF remained in the purview of the official media but Abdul Aziz did not rescind the suggestion, it could become permanent.
I am not saying that Abdul Aziz predecessor (after that Pakistan trip who would?) should not have been chosen as the Armed Forces chief.
Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar was the right person at the right time, to be chosen as the Armed Forces chief. But the decision to accept the use of CDF during his three year tenure was a clear act of not honouring tradition.
As I previously posted before MINDEF coined the term as it was felt that Armed Forces chief does not reflect the tri-services. Yes, my jaws dropped when it was described as such although they still used Armed Forces to describe the tri-services.
Since Anwar was a navy man, it was still understandable, with Aziz at the helm , we hope this would stop on Friday.
Anyhow, please read the Bernama story for further details and as at the moment the CDF remains.
courtesy of Bernama.
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak said Wednesday he would consider a proposal for the three military chiefs of the armed forces to be allowed to hold their posts for three years to give them time to further consolidate the services.Najib, who is the Defence Minister, said the armed forces did not have any specific time frame for the chiefs of its three wings — army, navy and air force — to remain in their posts.The period of service for the posts depended on the current situation and requirement of the armed forces, he said.”The three-year period is seen as an ideal length of time,” he told a news conference after launching a book entitled “On Command and Leadership” written by outgoing Chief of Defence Forces Tan Sri Anwar Mohd Nor, at the Defence Ministry here.Earlier Anwar had handed over duties to his successor, Chief of Army Gen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal.In suggesting the two plus one (years) appointment yesterday, Mohd Anwar said the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force had to analyse the needs in the first year and implement their plans in the second.”In the third year, they would be able to consolidate their plans to enhance the image of the armed forces and development of human capital,” he had told reporters.Najib, when asked about the four new generation coastal patrol vessels being built by PSC Industries Berhad, a subsidiary of Boustead Holdings Bhd, said the government had made a payment of RM500 million for the construction of the boats.”We are committed in wanting to complete the building of the boats,” he said, adding that the four vessels were expected to be delivered in June.– BERNAMA
Malaysian Defence is the ramblings of Marhalim Abas, a senior writer with The Malay Mail. Malaysian Defence hopes to fill the void by the mainstream media which regard defence and security as a passing fad. Covering Malaysian Defence without fear or favour and with dignity
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