The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak under the Heads of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Defence. We must strengthen these institutions to deliver effective public service. Unfortunately, much of today’s debate focused on episodic issues rather than the systemic improvements needed.

¶ 02 For national progress, we need economic stability, environmental sensitivity, social wellbeing, and good governance. To advance these, the Police’s cooperation and dedication are essential. While criticism is warranted where there are shortcomings, we must also appreciate the Police’s service in safeguarding the public and assisting communities at all times. We, as Government, must ensure their welfare and institutional development.

¶ 03 Community policing units existed to work with villages. We formed Public Security Committees to mobilize youth with Police towards village development and safety. On Police vacancies—about 20,000 were mentioned—we intend to fill at least half this year.

¶ 04 On extremism, public distress, and the Easter attacks, access to public services in one’s language is crucial to ease ethnic tensions. We will deploy more Tamil-speaking officers to sensitive areas in the North and East and provide recognized Tamil language training through the Department of Official Languages to 5,100 officers, including those serving in the North and Eastern Provinces.

¶ 05 Recruitments are underway. On narcotics, breaking the supply chain requires strong Police action, while demand reduction needs awareness and social education. Under the 2025 plan of the National Police Academy and Police training units, we will enhance technical training capacity from 135 to 200 per batch, expand language training, and strengthen IT. We also aim to provide single-cab vehicles—through Indian assistance—to around 80 Police stations in the North, reversing the unfortunate situation where stations lacked proper mobility.

¶ 06 In conclusion, rather than only criticizing, we must improve these institutions to build the prosperous country and better life we all seek. Thank you.