KUALA LUMPUR – The PT-91M tank belonging to the Malaysian Armed Forces which recently malfunctioned at Jalan Damansara will continue to be used until 2027 before being replaced, given that the vehicle’s lifespan is 20 years.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that the vehicle was introduced into the army’s inventory in 2007 and is one of the force’s strategic assets.
“The duration of usage (casting policy) for this vehicle is for 20 years.
“This tank will be used until 2027 before being replaced with a different type, following the nation’s technology flow and strategic needs in the future,” he said in a written response to a question from Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus (Hulu Langat-PH) at the Dewan Rakyat.
Hasanuddin asked whether the PT-91M tank’s breakdown as it was heading to the recent National Day parade preparations was a sign that it should be replaced.
Hishammuddin said that the malfunction on August 26 was due to the failure of the tank’s fuel injection pump due to wear and tear.
Nonetheless, he said, the damage does not affect the tank’s main function.
“These tanks are maintained regularly through a maintenance and repair contract that is still in force.
“Immediate repairs were made the same day, and the tank rejoined the parade the next day,” he said.
Commenting further, Hishammuddin said that the army’s mobilising of 129 land defence assets to participate in the National Day parade was not just to showcase the bravery of its members.
“In fact, it displays the prowess and readiness of combat assets from each service branch that includes combat elements, combat support and service support.
“Therefore, don’t just focus on small matters that have actually been resolved in a short time, instead the main focus is on the armed forces’ ability and preparedness in defending the country’s sovereignty,” he stressed.
On the morning of August 26, a tank broke down on the exit from Jalan Damansara to KL Sentral. Besides causing congestion on the highway, the incident perplexed netizens who cited the incident as bizarre and game-like. The Twitter comments also questioned the state of Malaysia’s armed forces.
The next day, the Malaysian army apologised for the inconvenience and confirmed that the cause of the tank breakdown was engine troubles. The incident raised concerns among lawmakers and the public on whether military assets are properly maintained. – The Vibes, October 7, 2022
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