KUALA LUMPUR – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will call former defence minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi early next month to complete proceedings regarding the issue of the non-delivery of six littoral combat ships (LCS) to the navy.
PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh said it would also call former Royal Malaysian Navy chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar and the main contractor of the warship project, Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) Sdn Bhd.
“The appointment of BNS Sdn Bhd was made through direct negotiation, and as of October this year, RM6.083 billion has been paid, but none of the ships have been built. According to the schedule, two LCS should have been built by now,” he told a press conference at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Wong said the issue was reported in the Auditor-General’s Report 2019 Series 1 and the Governance, Procurement and Finance Investigation Committee (JKSTUPKK) Investigation Report published last year
He said the PAC would also visit the LCS shipyard in Lumut, Perak next month.
“The PAC views seriously the issue of the non-delivery of the six LCS involving the Defence Ministry and a procurement value of RM9 billion... as it reflects weaknesses in terms of governance, procurement and finance, which will have a negative impact on national security and defence,” he said.
Wong said the PAC was also of the opinion that a decision on this issue must be made by the government as soon as possible, hence the need for the committee to complete the proceedings and to table its report at the Dewan Rakyat.
He said several witnesses had been called for the four meetings and proceedings conducted so far, including Auditor-General Datuk Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid, Defence Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Muez Abdul Aziz, and JKSTUPKK chairman Tan Sri Ambrin Buang.
“The PAC plans to complete and table its report on this issue at the Dewan Rakyat by March 2021,” he said. – Bernama, December 17, 2020
