KUALA LUMPUR – The war of words continues over the alleged littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal as Datuk Seri Najib Razak has denied PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli’s allegations that the former had been involved in applying three layers of contracts for a RM9 billion project, with the government overcharged three times the actual cost by subcontractors.
Taking to Facebook today, the former prime minister said it was impossible for him to be involved in the alleged scandal as he did not have a hand in giving the contract and the management of the project.
Raja Formula Songsang baru keluarkan kenyataan untuk tuduh satu bahagian daripada projek LCS menggunakan tiga lapis...
Posted by Najib Razak on Monday, August 8, 2022
Earlier today, Rafizi alleged that two packages worth RM1.185 billion was awarded to subcontractor Contraves Advanced Devices Sdn Bhd (CAD) by LCS provider Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS).
In response, Najib pointed out that Rafizi did not mention the owners of the companies.
“Checks revealed that both the companies, CAD and CED, are 51%-49% joint venture companies between Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation (BHIC), which is a subsidiary of Boustead owned by LTAT (Armed Forces Fund Board), and the famous German company Rheinmetall Air Defence AG, which is part of the big German Rheinmetall group, with annual sales hitting RM30 billion,” he said.
“Rheinmetall Air Defence is also one of the world’s leading specialists for short-range air defence systems.
“BHIC is also a listed company on Bursa Malaysia. So, what does this issue have to do with me?”
He also asked Rafizi if the latter was accusing former navy commander Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar, LTAT and German defence giant Rheinmetall of conspiring with him to embezzle (songlap).
“Why don’t you conduct a full investigation if the former navy commander, the Boustead company owned by LTAT, and the German company are suspected of guilt?
“I have no objection because I am not involved at all.”
Last Thursday, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommended the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to take prosecutive action against those behind the multibillion-ringgit scandal, with its chairman saying this was based on the findings made pertaining to the project.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had said last Saturday that its probe is currently in the final stages, with investigation papers delivered to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, adding that the results of the probe will be announced soon.
Najib had uploaded a number of posts on his Facebook page on the naval project since accusations of misappropriation and alleged mishandling involving LCS were revealed by the PAC.
According to findings, the government has spent more than RM6 billion in the procurement of six LCS vessels, although none has been delivered yet. – The Vibes, August 9, 2022
