[UPDATED] MACC completes probe into several individuals over LCS scandal

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has completed its investigation into several individuals linked to the RM9 billion littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal.

In a statement today, the MACC said it has submitted investigation papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) for further legal action against the individuals.

“MACC will await further instruction from the AGC based on deliberations made on the investigation paper,” said the statement. 

MACC’s announcement follows the recommendation by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for the anti-graft agency to take prosecutive action against those behind the LCS scandal.

More than RM6 billion has been spent on the project to build six ships but none have been delivered to date since the project began in 2013.

On August 4, PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh said the recommendation for prosecution was based on the findings in several reports. 

Besides the PAC one, other reports produced were the Special Committee on Governance Investigation, Government Procurement and Finance (JKSTUPKK) report, and a forensic audit report.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday said the cabinet had agreed to declassify the JKSTUPKK report.

He also said investigations by MACC had already commenced earlier and urged the anti-graft body to speed up its probe.

The PAC completed its report on the LCS scandal after nine proceedings on the matter held between November 18, 2020, and March 8 this year.

Besides cost overruns, it was also found that the Royal Malaysian Navy, as the end user, had been ignored when it gave feedback on the project to contractor Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd. – The Vibes, August 11, 2022