Malaysia ministry responsible for defence
The Ministry of Defence (Malay: Kementerian Pertahanan), abbreviated MINDEF[1] or KEMENTAH,[2] is a ministry of the Government of Malaysia that is responsible for defence, national security, army, navy, hydrography, air force, armed forces, intelligence services, counterintelligence, military intelligence, national service, and veterans affairs.
The Minister of Defence administers his functions through the Ministry of Defence and a range of other government agencies.
Its headquarters is in Kuala Lumpur.
History
Ministry of Defence was established on 31 August 1957 and officially began operations in a building located in Brockman Road (now Jalan Dato' Onn), Kuala Lumpur. This building also housed the office of the first Defence Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak bin Datuk Hussein, who served from 31 August 1957 to 22 September 1970.
The first building of the Ministry of Defence was constructed by the Federal Government at a cost of RM122,000.00 and was officially opened by Tun Haji Abdul Razak bin Datuk Hussein on 18 March 1960. The building constructed in Jalan Padang Tembak also housed the Chiefs and Officers of the Malaysian Armed Forces of the three services.
As a result of growing awareness among leaders of the importance of the armed forces, a complex consisting of six blocks of four storeys high was built in front of the Office of the Member Services Division to cater for the growing membership. The RM 2 million building was officially opened by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra on 6 April 1967.
After the withdrawal of the British troops, the Malaysian Government took drastic measures to improve the security of the country from any threat. This task is entrusted to the Ministry of Defence as well as the task of improving efficiency in the management of military needs from time to time.
To accommodate all the agencies under one roof, the government has decided to build a new building for the Ministry of Defence. As a symbolic, the foundation stone was laid by the then Deputy Defence Minister, Dato' Abu Bakar bin Datu Abang Abang Haji Mustapha on 10 March 1982. The new building is located at Jalan Padang Tembak, Kuala Lumpur and was built with a budget of RM144 million and was completed in mid 1985. This 20 storey high building is known as "WISMA PERTAHANAN" and provides office space and meeting rooms. The area around "WISMA PERTAHANAN" known as the Defence Complex also provides facilities such as multi-storey car park building, auditorium, prayer room, Field of Defence (Parade Ground), guard stations, towers, computer room, 'helipad', cafeteria and others.
The Ministry of Defence is led by the Minister of Defence and assisted by a Deputy Minister. The organization of the Ministry of Defence consists of two main services. First, is the Public Service which is headed by the Secretary General and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is headed by Chief of the Armed Forces.
Source :[3]
On March 6, 2023, MINDEF reported that the National Defence and Security Industry Policy (DIPKN) to support the Malaysian defense industry.[1]
On December 12, 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a cabinet reshuffling announcement, announces that Dato Sri Mohamed Khaled Nordin is the new Minister of Defense, replacing Mohamad as he was appointed as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs.[4]
Key legislation
The Ministry of Defence is responsible for administration of several key Acts:
- Armed Forces Act 1972 [Act 77]
- Arms Act 1960 [Act 206]
- National Service Act 1952 [Act 425]
- National Service Training Act 2003 [Act 628]
- Veterans Act 2012 [Act 740]
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