KUALA LUMPUR, 31 July – The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) asset acquisition system needs to be overhauled to ensure that no more external parties reap excessive commissions from the asset acquisition process.

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the overhaul was necessary to prevent outside interference in the acquisition of national defence assets.

“We recommend to the leadership of the armed forces, the procurement system must be overhauled so that there can no longer be interference from outside parties.

“The chiefs of staff are responsible for choosing the best warships, planes, tanks and other equipment and no longer repeating the hassle, robbing through excessive commissions so that our equipment lacks the ability for a strong defence field,” he said.

He said this at the MAF Veteran Entrepreneur Empowerment Program (PUVET ATM) at Dewan Perkasa, Wisma Perwira ATM, here.

Anwar added that he had also met with the Chief of Defence Force and the Chief of Navy, Chief of Air Force and Chief of Army together with the minister to resolve the issue.