DSA 2018: Govt inks security contracts worth RM17.8b

KUALA LUMPUR: The heavy investment by the country to raise its defence technology capabilities proves the caretaker government does not view the security of the people and external threats lightly.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said this was evident from the signing of agreements worth RM17.8 billion in conjunction with Defence Services Asia 2018 (DSA 2018) and National Security Asia (Natsec) 2018 exhibitions here today.
"The agreements signed at DSA 2018 and Natsec 2018 today proved the (caretaker) government takes seriously the needs of new technology in combating security threats such as cyber attacks and control in Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom).
"It also shows the confidence of foreign countries to cooperate in developing security technology and the national defence of the country," he told reporters here today.
According to him, the move to improve defence technology is also a positive step taken by several security agencies under the caretaker Home Ministry and caretaker Defence Ministry.
The caretaker government through the caretaker Home Ministry and caretaker Defence Ministry signed eight contracts, three memorandums of understanding (MoU), 11 letters of acceptance and another agreement worth RM17.8 billion in total.
Earlier, caretaker Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said most of the contracts were contributed by six offset programmes worth about RM14.4 billion.
"The offset programme is the best alternative to raise the defence capability of the country to obtain latest military technology from several leading defence economies including transfer of technology and know-how to our local industry to create efficient engineering and reduce dependence on foreign companies," said Hishammuddin.
The 16th DSA, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) here, assembled about 1,500 defence related companies and 350 representatives from 45 companies including South Korea, China, Japan, Australia, Pakistan, Russia and Indonesia. — Bernama