Khaled: The Defence Ministry is expanding cooperation between countries through the signing of Government-to-Government (G2G) Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) related to defence products, said its minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He said the initiative aims to avoid the involvement of agents of middlemen in the procurement of national defence assets.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the MADANI government remains consistent in its efforts to improve governance and ensure transparency, including in purchases of national defence assets. During the 60th Anniversary Parade of Rejimen Gerak Khas (RGK) at Kem Iskandar in Mersing, Johor, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, issued a stern reminder to the Ministry of Defence not to repeat past mistakes in the procurement of military assets, particularly used aircraft that could endanger the lives of pilots and military personnel.
The monarch emphasised that all parties involved in military procurement must ensure evaluations are conducted transparently, based on market prices and the actual needs of the armed forces, and not merely on the recommendations of agents or those with vested interests. Mohamed Khaled said the Defence Ministry upholds the King's decree and is committed to continuously adhering to the principles of accountability and integrity in the procurement of national defence assets.
He mentioned that some of the immediate steps that had been taken and are being taken include strengthening the ministry's internal policies and procedures to ensure transparency, ethical compliance, and strict guidelines. Additionally, any new proposals will undergo a comprehensive study involving the end user, namely the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), including aspects on suitability, lifespan, safety, and the technology used.
Mohamed Khaled added that any procurement of defence assets is also made based on MAF requirements or user-driven. He stated that before confirming any procurement, a comprehensive assessment of the actual market price is made to ensure every ringgit spent is at the right price.