KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigation into the multi-billion-ringgit littoral combat ships (LCS) procurement controversy is in the final stages, with investigation papers delivered to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the investigation results will be announced soon once discussions are finalised with the AGC.
Speaking during a press conference at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy here today, he said MACC will not be issuing statements regarding its findings as there is a need to maintain the confidential nature of the case.
“This matter does not only involve MACC, it also involves the AGC, among others. This must be taken into account,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.
Responding to accusations that MACC had delayed looking into the case, Azam claimed that investigations had already been underway prior to today’s update.
“Sometimes I am not in a position to tell people what everyone needs to know.”
On Thursday, Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommended that MACC take prosecutive action in the LCS affair.
The recommendation was made based on findings from several reports, namely PAC’s report, which included the testimony of former navy commander Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.
It was reported yesterday that his testimony revealed how top government officials were alerted on numerous occasions of possible problems emerging from the procurement process of the six ships but took no measures to address them.
According to Aziz, who was the navy chief from April 2008 to November 2015, he had expressed his suspicion and the view of the navy via letters of reprimand and dissatisfaction to the top echelons of the federal government and Defence Ministry.
This included two letters to the then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, five letters to the defence minister, 10 to the ministry secretary-general, and one each to the secretary-general of the treasury, and chief secretary to the government.
Aziz also testified that he suspected something was off with the LCS procurement because while the acquiring of the vessels was done by the government on behalf of the navy, Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd was given full control over the project.
Earlier today, the Royal Malaysian Navy expressed its support for any investigation into leakages in the project and said that proven offenders should be brought swiftly to justice.
The navy said the project’s delay has adversely affected its fleet combat capabilities and the morale of its officers as the LCS are critical to national sovereignty and security. – The Vibes, August 6, 2022
