كراجأن تيدق اكن سليندوڠ ايسو ڤروليهن لچس – اسماعيل صبري
The people have a right to get an explanation on the littoral combat ship (LCS) procurement issue, and in this matter the Government will not cover it up because it boils down to integrity, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He stressed that this issue concerning the procurement of assets by the Royal Malaysian Navy in a RM9.13 billion contract should be prudently explained to avert speculation and prevent the people from jumping to conclusions.
On Aug 4 this year, the Public Accounts Committee revealed that its nine inquiry sessions into the LCS issue since Nov 18, 2020 found that not even a single LCS had been completed, although the contract awarded through direct negotiations stated that five ships should have been built and delivered by August.
The contract for the supply of six LCS by Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) became a hot issue after it was revealed that the project, scheduled for implementation in a 10-year period from Oct 3, 2013 to Oct 2, 2023, was only 53.29% completed as of May 31, 2019.
PUTRAJAYA: The people have a right to get an explanation on the littoral combat ship (LCS) procurement issue, and in this matter the Government will not cover it up because it boils down to integrity, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He stressed that this issue concerning the procurement of assets by the Royal Malaysian Navy in a RM9.13 billion contract should be prudently explained to avert speculation and prevent the people from jumping to conclusions.
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“The previous government failed because it did not properly explain to the people when the 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Bhd) issue cropped up. That ultimately led to the people speculating and drawing their own conclusions on what happened, although what they thought did not happen or did not happen as speculated.
“But because we failed to give a proper explanation, the issue eventually blew up,” he said in an interview themed “Inspirasi Setahun Keluarga Malaysia” at Seri Perdana.
This Sunday (Aug 21) marks the first anniversary of Ismail Sabri, 62, helming the Government. On Aug 21 last year, he took over the country’s top post, after Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin resigned as the eighth prime minister following the loss of majority support from Members of Parliament.
On Aug 4 this year, the Public Accounts Committee revealed that its nine inquiry sessions into the LCS issue since Nov 18, 2020 found that not even a single LCS had been completed, although the contract awarded through direct negotiations stated that five ships should have been built and delivered by August.
The contract for the supply of six LCS by Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) became a hot issue after it was revealed that the project, scheduled for implementation in a 10-year period from Oct 3, 2013 to Oct 2, 2023, was only 53.29% completed as of May 31, 2019.
Based on a report by the Investigating Committee on Governance, Procurement and Finance, which was declassified on Wednesday, a total of RM5.94 billion had been paid by the Ministry of Defence to BNS for the project.
Ismail Sabri said that because of this, he decided to make public the classified findings of the investigating committee.
“We believe that regardless of the people’s perception, we must provide an explanation and we cannot cover it up…that was why I decided promptly that the forensic audit report should be declassified. We must be transparent and let the people see it for themselves,” he added.
The Umno vice-president said he believes that the Opposition would continue to “harp on” the LCS issue — as they had done with the 1MDB matter — but what is of importance now is how the Government responds to restore the people’s confidence.
“Now there is one case, with a person already charged in the court. I am given to understand that one or two more cases will be brought to the court. But I believe that no matter who is brought to the court, this issue will continue to be played up.
“We can’t say when this issue will die down. For me, the important thing is that I have told the Cabinet that explanations to the people on this issue are imperative,” he said.
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