KUALA LUMPUR – PKR communications chief Fahmi Fadzil has called for Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s resignation over the littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal.
Fahmi, in an online forum this evening, said Hishammuddin was among the three key Umno leaders who must explain the problems that led to the delays in the delivery of the multi-billion ringgit project.
The Lembah Pantai MP also said former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and former defence minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were also responsible for providing explanations on the project, as they led the government during the time of its approval.
“If I were Hishammuddin Hussein, I would have resigned after the (Public Accounts Committee) report was made public. Shameful!” he said in a forum titled “LCS Scandal: RM6 billion burnt with no single ship ready.”
Last Thursday, the Public Accounts Committee advised the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to take legal action against those responsible for the alleged scandal, based on the findings of its report on the LCS project.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said last Saturday that a probe is currently in the final stages, with investigation papers being delivered to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, adding that the results of the probe will be announced soon.
According to findings, the government has spent more than RM6 billion in the procurement of six LCS vessels, which were approved in 2011 while Najib was prime minister, but a single vessel had yet to be delivered to the navy to date.
Fahmi then questioned Hishammuddin on whether the latter felt a “single ounce of embarrassment”, saying the minister should “either resign or be sacked”.
The Lembah MP then reiterated calls for the Umno trio to provide explanations and answers to clear their names.
“This is a defence issue and an issue about the people’s money. This is not only an issue of national sovereignty but the navy’s dignity.”
Earlier today, PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli alleged that two of the project’s packages worth RM1.185 billion were awarded to subcontractor Contraves Advanced Devices Sdn Bhd by LCS-provider Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd.
Rafizi said investigations showed that these two packages were later awarded to French vessel manufacturer DCNS, but were only valued at RM397 million.
As a war of words ensued, Najib denied Rafizi’s allegations that he was involved in applying three layers of contracts for the project, leading to the government being charged three times its actual costs by the subcontractors.
On Facebook today, the Pekan MP said it was impossible for him to be involved in the alleged scandal as he did not have a hand in awarding the contract nor the management of the project. – The Vibes, August 9, 2022
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