KUALA LUMPUR – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is expected to table its report on the littoral combat ships (LCS) project in the coming Dewan Rakyat sitting in March.
PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh said the committee held eight proceedings so far and called several witnesses, including Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Other witnesses were Defence Ministry’s chief secretary Datuk Seri Muez Abd Aziz, navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Reza Mohd Sany, former auditor-general Tan Sri Ambrin Buang and others.
“Back in Parliament today. Continue our proceeding on the LCS project.
“All witnesses have given their full cooperation to PAC. We are reaching the final stage of the proceedings and shall table our report, hopefully, in the March sitting,” said Wong.
Wong, in his Facebook post reiterated that the LCS project involves a total sum of RM9.128 billion, with RM6 billion paid, but no ship completed or delivered.
Last November, Hishammuddin was reported as saying that the navy will receive its first littoral combat ship in 2025.
He said the settlement initiatives outlined two main components, namely corporate restructuring and fundraising, which also involved discussions with the Finance Ministry and Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department.
He added that the government had agreed to approve the ships’ procurement application under the 10th Malaysia Plan and 11MP with a 10-year implementation period from October 3, 2013, to October 2, 2023.
However, he said as of October 31 this year, work progress on the ships is at 57.05% compared to the original work plan schedule of 96.57%. Overall, the procurement experienced a delay of 39.52%, equivalent to 43 months. – The Vibes, January 26, 2022
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