KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) – Malaysia today received 14 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and seven rescue boats under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) initiative, further strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said six of the UAVs would be allocated to the army, six to the Royal Malaysian Navy, and two to the Malaysian Armed Forces’ (MAF) Cyber and Electronics Division.
He added that through the OSA initiative, Japan provides non-lethal defence equipment to partner countries, with Malaysia among the recipients this year, alongside the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Fiji.
“The close ties between Malaysia and Japan are no longer confined to traditional areas, but have now expanded into the field of defence.
“Both countries share the belief that stability in Southeast Asia benefits not only the people of the region, but also contributes to the well-being of the global community,” he told reporters after the equipment handover ceremony here today.
Also present were Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata and Army Chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan.
Mohamed Khaled said the Japanese-made defence equipment, worth RM12.63 million, was part of an asset acceptance agreement signed in 2023 between the Malaysian government and the Japan International Cooperation System (JICS).
“In addition, this OSA package also includes two road-cleaning lorries, which are currently in the tender stage and will further complete this assistance package,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shikata said Malaysia was selected as one of the four initial recipients of OSA security assistance due to its strategic location near the South China Sea and the Straits of Melaka.
“The international community is currently facing major geopolitical shifts. In this context, it is essential for us not only to strengthen our own capabilities, but also to proactively foster a peaceful and stable international environment based on the rule of law,” he said.
“Cooperation with Malaysia is very important for Japan. These UAVs will be used for coastal monitoring, including in the South China Sea. This move will enhance intelligence, monitoring, and surveillance capabilities, thereby strengthening Malaysia’s maritime security,” Shikata said.
In a separate development, Mohamed Khaled said his ministry welcomed the implementation of the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) targeted subsidy initiative for military personnel starting this Saturday, ahead of the general public, who will begin receiving it on Sept 30.
He said the early implementation for military personnel would allow the government to assess its impact before rolling it out to the wider public.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the price of RON95 petrol would be reduced to RM1.99 per litre from RM2.05 per litre, effective Sept 30, under the BUDI95 initiative.
All Malaysians are eligible for a monthly subsidised ceiling of up to 300 litres of RON95 petrol under BUDI95, while non-citizens and large companies will have to pay the unsubsidised price of RM2.60 per litre.
-- BERNAMA
