Mindef Moving In Line With Technological Development, Boosts Cyber Security

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Defence is moving in line with current technological developments in an effort to strengthen aspects of national security, including against cyber attacks.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said non-traditional attacks or threats in the field of defence often occur, but the ministry is always prepared to curb such threats.

"There should not be gaps in our defence... The important thing is that we need to have the strength and ability to deal with them (cyber threats).

"We do pay attention and focus on improving defence because technology changes and develops so fast...we have to keep pace," he told reporters after a Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony between UiTM Energy & Facilities Sdn Bhd and Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd here, today.

In March, Mohamed Khaled was reported to have said that the country's defence system receives about 3,000 cyber attacks every day, especially after Malaysia expressed support for Palestine.

He said the attack involving various parties was not only aimed at spying on Malaysia's movements against the conflict in Gaza, but they also hacked the country's defence system.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled said he had received an invitation from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to the proceeding of the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) following the disclosure of the Auditor General's Report in March.

"I have accepted the PAC invitation... Yes, I will attend," he said.

On July 17, PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin reportedly said she would call Mohamed Khaled and three former LTAT top management members as witnesses at the next LTAT proceeding in August.

The others are former LTAT chairman General (B) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, former LTAT chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Nazim Abd Rahman and former LTAT senior strategy director Dayana Rogayah Omar.

The LTAT proceeding is scheduled to continue on August 7 after the PAC held its first proceeding on June 20.

The proceeding is to seek clarification following the disclosure of the agency's financial reserves which were negative as reported in the AG’s Report in March.

The report revealed that LTAT did not give an explanation of the value of investments of its subsidiary companies amounting to RM812 million involving Boustead Holdings Bhd (RM768 million) and Pharmaniaga Bhd (RM44 million).

-- BERNAMA