LUMUT, June 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the littoral combat ship (LCS) construction by Lumut Naval Shipyard (Lunas) at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base here, describing it as commendable.
He said the progress demonstrated the government’s strong commitment to prioritising national security assets and reflected the Madani government’s emphasis on good governance.
“We regard the RMN as a key line of defence, as our waters are not immune to threats such as terrorism, potential foreign incursions and smuggling. That is why I agreed for the LCS project to continue under the Finance Ministry.
“Previous delays stemmed from weak management, governance issues and corruption. If the management is poor, how can we ensure maritime security? That’s why good governance is essential,” he said in his speech at the Kenduri Rakyat programme held in conjunction with the Perak Madani Rakyat Programme 2025 at Shariff Hall, RMN Lumut here today.
Also present was Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Earlier, the prime minister visited the Lunas facility at the RMN base to inspect the ongoing LCS construction works.
Anwar said the government remains attentive to the need to enhance the country’s defence assets, with the Defence Ministry being among the ministries receiving the largest allocations in the annual budget.
“Defence ranks third (in terms of allocation), after education and health. For 2025 alone, RM21.2 billion has been allocated — a significant amount for a developing nation,” he said.
He added that the move reflected the government’s appreciation of the sacrifices made by the security forces and was aimed at ensuring national stability, which is crucial for economic growth.
Anwar also said he is often moved when learning of the poor condition of certain security assets that are still in use to safeguard the nation.
“That’s why, upon the formation of the Madani government, I called in all the armed forces chiefs and asked them to outline their priority needs. Based on that, we work to secure sufficient funding to improve our defence machinery and assets,” he said.
Meanwhile, Anwar announced several project allocations approved for the RMN base in Lumut aimed at improving the well-being and welfare of security personnel.
He said RM65 million has been allocated for the construction of a specialist clinic complex and the upgrading of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) Hospital at the base.
Also approved are several key infrastructure projects, including the upgrading of the 33kV high-voltage distribution system, with an allocation of RM100 million; the replacement of the Bulk Fuel Installation (BFI) operational tanks (RM23.3 million); and the upgrading of the operational jetty at the Lumut base (RM66.5 million).
Anwar said several maintenance projects had previously been successfully implemented at the Lumut naval base, including the upgrading of the fresh water supply piping system, the construction of the Pusat Anak Permata Negara (PAPN), slope repairs at Bukit Perwira, the installation of a lightning protection system at the Ammunition and Explosives Depot, comprehensive repairs of staff quarters A33, A37, A16, and A22, and dredging works at the operational jetty.
He said that the Madani Economy initiative at the Lumut naval base received an allocation of RM65,000 for an urban mushroom farming project, in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Mara, and RM50,000 for a honeydew melon farming project, in partnership with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
Anwar said that special allocations had also been approved to upgrade 34 schools located in security camps and military bases, including improvements to toilets and laboratories, to ensure a more comfortable learning environment for the children of military personnel.
“We have allocated RM20 million specifically for schools in military camps. I do not want the children of our personnel, whose fathers serve for weeks and months at sea or in the air, to lack proper facilities for studying,” he said.
At the same event, Anwar also presented contributions to 98 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2024 holders, comprising children of RMN personnel. The donations were from the Prime Minister’s Office.
— Bernama
