10/05/2026

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday MAY 10, 2026

Navy struggling to sustain ageing fleet, says chief

“The government needs to give us the tools to ensure that we are able to undertake this task,” he said. The government has acknowledged the challenge, with about 80% of procurement deals signed during the recent Defence Services Asia and Natsec Asia 2026 exhibition involving the Navy. However, Zulhelmy noted that defence spending continues to compete with other national priorities, with Malaysia’s allocation remaining at around 1% of gross domestic product in recent years. “This is a small amount compared with other nations. Some nations spend 2.5% of their GDP. We are asking for 1.5%,” he said.

becoming increasingly difficult to manage. “Geographically, Malaysia is unique. It is two big chunks of land divided by a huge amount of water. Our maritime border is twice that of the land border,” Zulhelmy said. He stressed that as a maritime nation, the Navy plays a vital role in protecting the country’s maritime domain and upholding national sovereignty. “You need a credible navy to do it.” The Navy has managed to sustain operations by keeping ageing vessels mission-ready through discipline, experience and careful maintenance, but Zulhelmy acknowledged that this was not a long-term solution.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy recently marked its 92nd anniversary, but much of its fleet is already more than 40 years old. “More than half of our ships are over 40 years old. But because of the maintenance culture of the Navy, we are still operating,” Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain told Bernama in a recent exclusive interview. “It’s getting more and more difficult to maintain. At this point, you are paying more for corrective maintenance than preventive maintenance.” For the naval force tasked with securing one of Southeast Asia’s most strategically exposed maritime domains, the strain is

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Army is tightening security along the country’s borders to curb smuggling and cross-border crimes ahead of the Aidiladha celebrations later this month. Army chief General Datuk Azhan Md Othman said the force remains on constant alert to ensure the continued security and sovereignty of the nation’s borders. “We will further tighten control at every border, especially along the northern border between Malaysia and Thailand. “It is during festive periods like this that activities violating regulations tend to occur,” he said after officiating the Army Run 2026 in conjunction with the 93rd Army Day celebration yesterday. According to Azhan, existing operations along the country’s borders will continue to ensure there are no security breaches at the nation’s entry points. Earlier, he said the army would continue strengthening the deployment of personnel and assets along the country’s borders to ensure border security remains safeguarded and under control. He said the effort is being supported by the latest technology, including the use of drones, scrambler motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and optronic equipment. The media previously reported that the army successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle 20 cattle from Thailand, estimated to be worth RM225,000, during an operation at the border on May 4. On Army Run 2026, Azhan said the event received an encouraging response, with the participation of 6,000 people comprising members of the Malaysian Armed Forces, government agencies, the private sector, amateur athletes and the public from across the country. – Bernama Army steps up border security to curb smuggling are not going to be able to do it later,” he said. He also pointed to challenges arising from dependence on foreign defence systems, including issues linked to the Littoral Combat Ship programme and supply arrangements involving foreign original equipment manufacturers. Zulhelmy said Malaysia continues to work with many countries, including China, in line with its non-aligned approach. He stressed that war still remains the last resort. “If we go to war, it means that all other efforts have failed. “The Armed Forces are like an insurance policy. You pay for something that you hope never to use.” – Bernama

Despite the limited allocation, he said the Malaysian Armed Forces had still managed to procure fighter jets, submarines and other defence assets. “But the task at hand is getting incredibly difficult, especially with whatever is going on around us,” he said, referring to the global supply crisis. Zulhelmy acknowledged that many Malaysians are more concerned about daily living costs such as food and fuel, making it difficult to justify higher defence spending. “Looking at the current situation on the ground, people are more worried about putting food on the table, but if you are not prepared to defend what we have today, we

Putrajaya plans wider scope for minor offences

workforce gaps but also allows inmates to reintegrate into society while earning an income. “We have received encouraging feedback from employers, while the recidivism rate among former inmates involved in the programme remains very low,” he said, as reported by Bernama. Under the employment initiative, inmates are housed in secured accommodations provided either by employers or at facilities rented by the ministry at National Service Training Centres. “They stay at these facilities where monitoring can be carried out effectively. They go to work during the day and return to the accommodation in the evening instead of remaining in prison,” he added.

as every case will undergo a proper screening process,” he said. Saifuddin explained that the hiring of prison inmates as workers is carried out through detailed assessments by prison authorities, including evaluations of behaviour, disciplinary records and whether they are first-time offenders. “We assess their attitude, level of cooperation during imprisonment and whether they have maintained good discipline.” The minister said the initiative has so far involved more than 900 employers from various sectors, including services and plantations facing labour shortages. He added that the initiative not only helps industries fill

Amendment aimed at easing prison overcrowding and expanding inmate work programme, says minister

JOHOR BAHRU: The Home Ministry is in the final stages of amending the Minor Offences Act 1955 to broaden the definition of minor offences beyond crimes punishable by four years’ imprisonment or less. Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the proposed amendment would allow offences carrying jail terms of up to 10 years to be classified under the category. He said the move is aimed at reducing overcrowding in prisons, where the inmate population has exceeded 87,000

against the original capacity of 75,000, exposing inmates to risks such as disease outbreaks, fights and uncomfortable living conditions. Saifuddin said the amendment would also expand the existing inmate employment programme run by the Prisons Department, which currently only involves prisoners serving sentences of less than four years. “If the eligibility threshold is increased to offences carrying sentences of up to 10 years, the pool of eligible inmates will be much larger. However, this will not be implemented arbitrarily

Three held in RM7.25m silica sand bust IPOH: About 5,000 tonnes of silica sand and mineral processing equipment worth RM7.25 million were seized in Kampar during an integrated operation at a premises found to be operating without a valid permit. Balveer Singh said the operation was carried out following intelligence gathered on a premises in Kampar suspected of conducting silica sand processing activities without a valid permit.

“Initial investigations found that the premises had been operating since 2024. “The facilities were used specifically to process silica sand before it was stored and subsequently shipped overseas,” he said in a statement. He said the sand supply found at the location was sourced from a housing project site around Ipoh. Balveer Singh added that inspections by Perak Land and Mines Office officers on two lorries carrying sand found that both drivers failed to produce mineral transfer documents for transporting the material. – Bernama

General Operations Force Northern Brigade commander SAC Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh said three men aged between 20 and 30, believed to be business owners and lorry drivers, were arrested during Ops Bersepadu Khazanah on Thursday. He said the operation involved the GOF Northern Brigade in collaboration with the Department of Minerals and Geosciences, the Perak Land and Mines Office, the Inland Revenue Board and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Kampar district police headquarters.

Members of Ops Bersepadu Khazanah inspecting the silica sand found at the premises during the raid.