PETALING JAYA, 31 Mar: The Pakatan Rakyat Presidential Council announced today the establishment of the People’s Security Advisory Council (MPKR) to monitor issues involving national security and defense.
The announcement that was made by PKR De Facto Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, stated that former Army Commander, General (Rtd) Tan Sri Md Hashim Hussein was appointed as the MPKR Chairman.
According to Hashim, apart from functioning as an advisor to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders on defense and security-related aspects, the council also serves to raise public awareness on issues of national security.
The Committee Members of the Council will also evaluate the appropriateness of purchasing defense assets in terms of specification and whether it corresponds with the price paid by the government.
“This council will also advise PR leaders on the all aspects in the scope of national security and defense, including the threat assessment methodology, the process of preparing policies, defense strategy and force capability as well as capacity building.
“The establishment of the MPKR is also based on reference to the current security situation in Malaysia, policies as well as current government regulations an extensive experience and knowledge of former civil servants and the military of this country,” said Md Hashim.
According to Md Hashim, MPKR will also serve to fill the role left by the National Security Council (MKN), which is available currently.
“Currently, MKN’s primary focus is in taking care of BN’s ‘security’, not on security issues that should come first,” he said.
Apart from Anwar and Md Hashim, also participating at the press conference held at the PKR headquarters were Pokok Sena MP, Datuk Mahfuz Omar, Sungai Petani MP, Datuk Johari Abdul and MP Tony Pua.