KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry has achieved all of its key performance indicators, especially in fighting Covid-19, in the first 100 days of the current administration, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
The Defence Minister said all 15 initiatives outlined under six aspirations – combatting Covid-19, safeguarding the country’s borders, maintaining international relations, fulfilling housing needs, ensuring the welfare of armed forces veterans and the “Jiwa Murni” programme to improve rural living conditions – were successfully executed during the 100-days period from Sept 1 to Thursday (Dec 9).
“These three months were quite challenging but it took focus and commitment from all ministry and Armed Forces personnel to achieve such a feat.
“The efforts of all involved were crucial as everyone was ready to work and face any challenge in assisting the government especially in combating Covid-19,” he said at a ceremony to mark his first 100 days of helming the ministry on Thursday.
Hishammuddin said the military’s Combat Medic Vaccination Team was instrumental in going to rural areas to ensure that people there could get vaccinated.
“I saw the hardship this team went through to get to rural areas especially in Sabah and Sarawak. A total of 25,092 rural folks were successfully vaccinated.
“At the same time, 14,097 teenagers were fully vaccinated via the drive-through vaccination programme.
“Field hospitals set up in various parts of the country have also greatly assisted the Health Ministry in treating Covid-19 patients,” he added.
Hishammuddin said some 107 Jiwa Murni projects were carried out by the military’s Engineering Regiment while the Royal Malaysian Air Force conducted 21 flights to bring medical supplies to treat Covid-19 especially in Sabah and Sarawak.
He added that the aim to build at least 2,000 houses was also achieved through the Rumah Keluarga Malaysia Angkatan Tentera (RKMAT) initiative, which was launched by the Prime Minister on Nov 3.
“We are planning to build 28,033 units of RKMAT for the period of 2021-2030, including the 8,852 units announced in the 12th Malaysia Plan,” he said.
On the defence front, various operations were conducted under Ops Benteng.
“As of Dec 7, a total of 17,023 undocumented immigrants have been detained,” he said.
In terms of strengthening defence diplomacy, Hishammuddin said various conferences and meetings were held, including the 11th Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Ministers’ Meeting and the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting.
“The inability to travel overseas during the pandemic was not a barrier as most of the meetings were conducted virtually.
“I also maintained communications with my counterparts from various countries, including the United States, Britain, Brunei, Australia and France,” he added.
While achieving the plans for the first 100 days was commendable, Hishammuddin said the ministry would not rest on its laurels.
“We cannot be easily satisfied as we are a big ministry, including 120,000 permanent personnel, 51,000 reserve personnel and 10,500 civilian personnel.
“Thus, we will start our post-100 days plans tomorrow (Dec 10). I will see what policies or initiatives can be done next year.
“We also want to focus on long-term planning through the 12th Malaysia Plan, Mindef’s strategic plan 2021-2025 as well as other initiatives,” he said.
While the achievement of the first 100 days should not be a benchmark, Hishammuddin said it could be a catalyst for all long-term initiatives.
“With proper planning, high discipline, good structure and leadership, we can do this.
“I guarantee all ‘warga Mindef’ that I will be there every step of the way. Our journey is just beginning, I hope the momentum of the first 100 days can continue,” he said