By Amin Hosni

Deputy Minister of Defence, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Col (B) Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mohd Yasmin bin Haji Umar, announced that the allocation for this year will see a decrease of 2.13 per cent from the previous year.

He spoke yesterday during the third day of discussions for the issuance of $4.78 billion for the financial year 2008/2009 at the Legislative Council building.

For 2008, the Ministry of Defence needs $508,861,923, which is 2.13% less than what was passed by the council the previous year.

The ministry's budget for this year is divided into three categories. Staff salaries will be increased by five per cent from the previous year.

Budget for other categories of expense is less two per cent from the previous year. The budget for payment for special expense is 27.12 per cent less from the previous year.

The MinDef's management for programmes is more systematic and the budget is more realistic for the ministry in this year's budget.

The budget ensures the Ministry of Defence can uphold its duty and responsibility in defending the peace of the country. The decrease of 2.13% shows the steps and efforts that the ministry is taking to economise financially without having to interrupt the army's operational capability.

The cost that is shown will cover many of the Armed Forces projects that cost between $1.5 million to $36 million.

Plans to develop the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces in 2008 and 2009 will contribute to the safety of the country and will become the main focus of this year.

The budget for this year will make the Ministry of Defence achieve strategic objectives according to the document of strategic planning, the deputy minister said.