Defence Ministry confirms SOP that requires end-user consensus before procurement

KUALA LUMPUR – The Defence Ministry has confirmed the existence of a standard operating procedure requiring it to get the consensus of end users before procurement of assets and equipment can be carried out.

Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah-Perikatan) said the move is part of the government’s efforts to address issues of corruption.

This is despite reports that the views of the navy were ignored in the government’s procurement of the six littoral combat ships (LCS).

“The ministry has stipulated that all applications for the procurement of new assets and equipment must be agreed by the end users,” Ikmal Hisham told the Dewan Rakyat today.

“This includes the army, navy and air force. Only (after obtaining their agreement) can the procurement process be implemented and forwarded to the relevant government agencies, like the Finance Ministry and Economic Planning Unit, for approval.”

He said this in response to a question by Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PAS) on whether the government has updated its procedures involving the awarding of contracts to companies for the construction of high-valued national defence assets.

This is in light of the controversies surrounding the government’s procurement of the LCS, none of which has been delivered to date despite billions having already been spent on the project.

Ikmal Hisham said his ministry is also currently planning to set up a defence investment committee, as part of several recommendations included in the Defence White Paper.

“God willing, this committee will function as a body that will determine policy matters and make decisions related to asset procurements.”

Separately, Ikmal Hisham revealed that Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein will be addressing the Dewan Rakyat in the coming weeks on issues related to the contentious LCS project.

“I believe his explanation later will allay all our concerns. I hope when he provides his explanation, we will be clearer on the matter,” he said. – The Vibes, October 3, 2022