Act against those who delayed RM6bil LCS project, says navy
Published on: Saturday, August 06, 2022
By: FMT
The navy said the delay in delivering the littoral combat ships had a negative effect on its fleet capability. (FMT file pic)
PETALING JAYA: The navy wants action to be taken against those responsible for the “mess” created in the RM6 billion littoral combat ship (LCS) project.
It welcomed the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) as the project was crucial for Malaysia’s sovereignty and national security.
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“The navy supports any investigation into leakages in the project and hopes that justice will be served by taking action against any party proven guilty as soon as possible,” it said in a statement.
On Thursday, PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh said the defence ministry and Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) had ignored the navy’s views on the LCS project.
He said the initial Sigma design chosen by the navy was approved by the defence ministry, only for it to be changed to the Gowind design on July 11, 2011, after BNS had recommended it to the then minister three days earlier.
Wong said not a single ship had been completed although Putrajaya had spent RM6 billion on the project, which was given to BNS via direct negotiations.
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He added that the navy should have received five of the ships by August this year.
Defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein later said those involved in misconduct in the project would be brought to justice. He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission was still investigating the case.
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The navy expressed its gratitude to the government for proceeding with the project, viewing it as the “right decision”.
It said the project’s delay had negatively affected its fleet capability and called for the support of all involved to resolve any problems related to the procurement of the LCS.
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