Cost-saving measures won't affect national security, PM assures

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today assured that the government's cost-saving measures will not jeopardise national security.

He said security aspects remained a national priority and that projects such as the construction of camps or those related to border controls would not be affected.

"Security (aspects) will not be affected (by the cost-saving measures). Security will remain a priority," he told reporters after officiating the launch of the 2022 National Security Conference and the National Security Month Celebration in Putrajaya.

On Saturday, it was reported that the government would embark on cost-cutting measures with the aim of slashing 5% of its operating expenses to be spent on additional expenditures related to subsidies for the welfare of the people.

The finance ministry will finalise the matter and issue a restriction warrant to state the amount of the reduced allocation.

In its Malaysian Treasury Circular — Guidelines on Public Expenditure Savings, the finance ministry said that global economic uncertainty, international geopolitical tensions as well as the sharp rise in global commodity and food prices had resulted in high inflationary pressure.

Ismail said further details on the cost-saving measures would be announced by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed.