5/09/2025

FRIDAY | SEP T 5, 2025

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Defence Ministry seeks to strengthen reserve force

RM93b under 13MP for state infrastructure KUALA LUMPUR: The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) sets the direction for the country’s economic development by reducing regional disparities and driving strategic investments, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. He said RM93.9 billion will be channelled to six states – Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak for basic infrastructure such as roads, clean water supply, electricity and internet access. “A total of 2,800km of rural roads will be built under the 13MP and 70% of them will be constructed in less developed states,” he said when winding up the debate on the 13MP motion at the Dewan Negara on Wednesday. He said regional development would also be strengthened through high-impact projects such as the Kedah Rubber City, Special Border Economic Zones in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Perlis Inland Port, Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park and the Maritime Industrial City. On the east coast, Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu are targeted as food production hubs, while Sarawak will drive hydro-based energy and hydrogen technology. “During the 13MP, the target investment value to be realised by the corridor authorities is RM75 billion, with 50,000 skilled job opportunities to be created.” He added that the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone has attracted RM1.34 billion in investment commitments, with another RM75 million under negotiation involving 70 companies from the Netherlands, China, Germany, Singapore, the UK and local investors. Amir Hamzah, who is also economy minister, said the broader aim of the 13MP is to ensure Malaysia stays competitive via digitalisation, technology and innovation. “The direction of the 13MP revolves around the three pillars of the Madani Economy, raising the ceiling, raising the floor and strengthening good governance. To raise the ceiling, economic development must shift to a value creation-based economy.” – Bernama SSLR Phase 2 set for Sept 11 launch KUCHING: Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the Sarawak Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Phase 2 is set to be officially launched on Sept 11, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg in attendance. The launch would take place at one of the sites along the SSLR Phase 2 route in Limbang, which is currently under construction. “The proposed date for the event is Sept 11. Invitations have been sent, and we have received confirmation that both the prime minister and the Sarawak premier will attend the ceremony,” he told a press conference after the Sarawak 2025 Facility Management Industry Engagement Session in Kuching. He added that this month marks the first anniversary of the Letter of Acceptance issued to the company responsible for the road construction. The SSLR project is a key initiative aimed at improving the road network in rural Borneo, enhancing connectivity between Sarawak and Sabah. Phase 2 of the project involves a 322km road link that connects Limbang, Miri, Lawas and Sabah, bypassing Brunei. Approved by the federal government in 2021, it involves building new roads and upgrading existing ones to link Lawas with Limbang and Mulu town. – Bernama

SERDANG: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the Defence Ministry will study the reasons behind the low participation of Reserve Officers Training Unit members in the Armed Forces (MAF) after their graduation. He said the initiative would include improving the curriculum and training content to ensure that the participation of students at a university level brings lasting o Initiative to include improved curriculum and training content for lasting benefits: Minister

participation is also crucial for the ministry’s target of achieving a one-to-one ratio between regular and reserve soldiers, compared with the current 121,000 regulars and 34,000 reserves. Mohd Nizam said only about 9% of cadets join the MAF upon graduation each year, while another 30% do so after securing employment. On a separate matter, Mohamed Khaled said the Defence Ministry would utilise allocations prudently if the government approves the proposal to raise defence spending to 1.5% of Gross Domestic Product by 2030. “The focus is to strengthen military assets and realise the establishment of the MAF future force. Everything must follow the rules, it does not mean that once funds are available, we can just buy anything.”

benefits and does not end without continuity after graduation. “We want more of them (students) to at least become reserve members of the MAF. We will also look into the factors preventing them from continuing to serve after leaving university,” he told Bernama after delivering the Defence Minister’s Executive Lecture at Universiti Putra Malaysia yesterday. Also present were Defence Force chief Jen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar and Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali. The Reserve Officers Training Unit is a military programme at public universities involving the three branches of the MAF – the Army, Navy and Air Force, aimed at producing young reserve officers with discipline, vision and patriotism. Mohamed Khaled said strengthening

Mohamed Khaled said strengthening participation is crucial for the ministry’s target of achieving a one-to-one ratio between regular and reserve soldiers, compared with the current 121,000 regulars and 34,000 reserves. – BERNAMAPIC

TVET for PwD among Budget 2026 proposals: DPM PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes tailored for persons with disabilities (PwD), along with greater involvement of school students, are among proposals for Budget 2026. for the PwD community. I will take this matter to the National TVET Council and then to the Finance Ministry to be considered as one of the agenda items in the Budget speech on Oct 10. “This matter will be studied together with state-level religious schools, as proposed.” The dialogue session involved 1,050 participants, comprising 300 who attended physically and another 750 who joined online from across the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.

“What is important is that PwD and other special groups must be given equal opportunities to pursue courses aligned with their interests and market demand,” he told reporters after chairing the KKDW Budget 2026 Dialogue Session yesterday. He added that there was also a proposal for pondok school students to be given the same opportunity to participate in TVET programmes, similar to those already extended to tahfiz students.

The session aimed to gather views and proposals from various stakeholders to ensure the formulation of Budget 2026 is more inclusive and comprehensive. It was also in line with the government’s decision on Aug 1 to make it mandatory for all ministries to hold budget engagement sessions with their respective stakeholders. – Bernama

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development minister, said the matter would be raised at the National TVET Council and submitted to the Finance Ministry for consideration as one of the key agenda items in Budget 2026, which is scheduled to be tabled on Oct 10. “This time, the proposal is somewhat different as it involves TVET courses specifically