RM100 million allocated for enforcement agencies, says Anwar

PUTRAJAYA - A total of RM100 million will be allocated for all enforcement agencies this year to strengthen equipment and support law enforcement operations, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Speaking to 2,400 officers and members of safety and enforcement agencies, Anwar said the allocation is intended for expenditure purposes.

"This allocation should arrive latest by Friday next week," he said at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here on Thursday.

Anwar said the government is looking into issues and challenges faced by enforcement personnel in the field.

"After several months of looking into the situation on the field, some matters must be given consideration such as borders, housing and the safety issues for officers at the border.

"I want the public not to think that such matters don't get any attention," he said.

He said the role of enforcement agencies were important in ensuring the implementation of laws were on the right track.

"The integrity and transparency aspect in implementing the laws are important elements to ensure the nation would remain competitive and leakage could be addressed," he said.

Anwar said the uniform incentive for the management and professional groups in six agencies were improved involving a financial implication of RM5,502,780 yearly.

The agencies involved were the army, police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Malaysian Prisons Department, Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) department and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.

Also announced was the immediate approval of an allocation of RM4 million for the needs of vehicles and computer equipment for the Road Transport Department (RTD) enforcement team.

Anwar said he was committed to study the entire civil servant retirement service scheme in a special secretariat committee he would chair next week.

"After 10 years, there has yet to be a committee to research civil servants retirement systems. Insya-Allah we will see our financial capacity and how it can be improved gradually," he said.

He added despite the nation's debt rising to RM1.5 trillion, it does not serve as a reason to delay it.

"I don't want to delay it. Every year there is a raise commensurate with their work," he said.