[UPDATED] #ManaKapalLCS protesters demand govt account for RM6 bil spent

KUALA LUMPUR – Close to 200 people protested the government’s mishandling of the littoral combat ships (LCS) project at a street rally in Kuala Lumpur today, which ended peacefully and without any arrests.

The rally outside the Sogo shopping complex ended after one and a half hours and saw protesters shouting slogans while police kept a watchful eye but did not intervene.

Muda information chief Luqman Long, one of several speakers at the rally, said the LCS project which saw RM6 billion of taxpayers’ funds spent was now “lost at sea” and could have been put to better use.

Luqman said the hefty sum of money paid to purchase almost all the equipment needed to build the vessels has not borne any fruits as of today. 

“This RM6 billion could have been used to build 243 schools, 108,000 houses, and free breakfasts to 200,000 students for a total of 64 years. 

“Tell this to your parents, friends, relatives. and neighbours,” he told protesters at the event dubbed “Mana Kapal LCS” (Where are the LCS Ships).

However, he also agreed that spending on defence projects is important.

“I don’t want that money to be used for education or housing because the funds are meant for our military. 

“The funds were for our Malaysian Navy. It has been more than 12 years (since the contract was agreed and signed) yet there isn’t even a single ship to be seen.”

Today’s protest follows the release of a report on the project by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last Thursday.

PAC recommended the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to take legal action against those responsible for the alleged scandal, based on findings which showed that more than RM6 billion had been spent to built six LCS but none have been delivered to date since the project began in 2013.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said last Saturday that a probe is currently in the final stages, with investigation papers submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers which will decide if anyone should be prosecuted.

Luqman today also called for Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to be arrested for his failure to deliver the project. 

For the record, Hishammuddin oversaw the project during his previous four-year tenure in the same portfolio, from 2013 to 2018 when Datuk Seri Najib Razak was prime minister.

The rally today also urged Putrajaya to fulfil three demands – an immediate investigation of the scandal, the resignation of Hishammuddin, and answers from the government on letters of reprimand over the project by ex-navy commander Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar. 

Other notable speakers today were Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Muda co-founder Amir Abdul Hadi.

Comparing this multi-billion ringgit project to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal, Syed Saddiq said the LCS issue is no child’s play and the public must not be fooled by the government’s explanation. 

Calling it the “biggest betrayal” to the people, the Muar MP said the sovereignty of the country is at stake due to the government’s lackadaisical attitude in handling a defence proejct.

“This is not a joke! People have had enough! It’s been over 12 years with no completed ship in sight. 

“We must remember, the agreement was made in 2011. The same ‘completed’ ship that the defence minister showed in 2017 is the same ship that is still alleged to be under construction today.” 

Amir, meanwhile, reiterated calls by protest organisers and several other quarters for Hishammuddin to resign, claiming that the minister failed to be transparent about the scandal.

The protest was monitored by over 100 police officers from different departments who were seen to be on standby in front of the Sogo shopping complex. – The Vibes, August 14, 2022