{
  "id": 13829651,
  "title": "Peruntukan belanjawan perlu tampung kekurangan pelaburan dalam pertahanan, kata penganalisis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/peruntukan-belanjawan-perlu-tampung-kekurangan-pelaburan-dalam",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T23:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/10/12/peruntukan-belanjawan-perlu-tampung-kekurangan-pelaburan-dalam-pertahanan-kata-penganalisis"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Analyst Izzah Khairina Ibrahim noted that RM7.1 billion in the national budget for defense and security equipment must address the issue of equipment wear and tear in the armed forces over the past few years. Despite the equipment exceeding its operational lifespan, defense spending remains close to 1% of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP). Izzah indicated that defense assets may not be balanced to confront threats including non-traditional security challenges, blue zone pressure, asymmetric and hybrid threats, and high-tech warfare. While incremental advancements have been made, modernization is slow, with expenditure on development comprising only 34% of this year's allocation, compared to 65.7% for operational expenditure, she told FMT. The 2027 budget allocates RM22 billion to the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Domestic Affairs (MDO), a 1.2% increase from the 2026 allocation. She said the large allocation to the Ministry of Defense and MDO reflects a cautious and pragmatic approach to national security, considering Malaysia acknowledges that public safety and military protection cannot be maintained solely through military strength. However, continued investment is needed in the public and military sectors, cyber and electromagnetic defense capabilities, and safe and autonomous communication and coordination systems. Lam Choong Wah from the University of Malaya said the armed forces need the funds for their major modernization plan, including for the navy and air force. Lam said the Ministry of Defense should accept a larger allocation than MDO due to operational costs and revenue. However, with the government's main focus on reducing living expenses, other sectors such as defense must compromise. Mizan Aslam, a fellow at the Global Peace Institute, pointed to the increase in defense allocations over the past five years as Malaysia faces territorial disputes in the South China Sea and tensions in the Middle East. \"We need more assets and systems that can adapt to the changes happening in the world today,\" he said.",
  "summary": "Izzah Khairina Ibrahim berkata aset ketinggalan zaman dan ancaman baharu pertahanan menjadikan pemodenan sangat penting.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Peruntukan belanjawan perlu tampung kekurangan pelaburan dalam pertahanan, kata penganalisis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/peruntukan-belanjawan-perlu-tampung-kekurangan-pelaburan-dalam-13830002",
        "published": "2026-10-11T23:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}