No Additional Defence Budget for Mindef in 2013

2013 Budget: Govt to focus on socio-economy

KUALA LUMPUR: There will be no additional allocation for the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) in the 2013 Budget to give more space to the government to focus on improving the people's socio-economy, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the ministry was satisfied with the discussions held with the Finance Ministry and was not expecting any increase in allocation for it in the coming budget. 

"This is because we feel that socio-economic programmes should be given top priority.

"As for defence activities, we will continue with the existing training and preparing ourselves for readiness to face any potential threat," he said on the 2013 Budget yesterday.

He said although there would be no additional allocation for the ministry in the new budget, safeguarding national security and sovereignty remained a priority and not to be compromised.