Urgent need to proceed with LSC project

DESPITE the ongoing investigation and criminal liability investigation in process, the RM9 bil littoral combat ship (LCS) project must proceed because of its significance for national security as well as economic necessity, according to the Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot).

This statement was made in regards to the allegations of irregularities in the LCS project that Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (BHIC) reported to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The findings of the forensic audit that started in February were handed to the MACC in September.

“No stone must be left unturned and actions must be taken if there are transgressions against the law involving corrupt practices and criminal neglect,” said Patriot president Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji.

“Within the LTAT and the Boustead Group, internal disciplinary action must also be taken for any dereliction of duties, incompetency, and gross negligence against any board member, director, and those at managerial levels,” he added.

Patriot views seriously the involvement of several personnel in the LCS project were from the military. Had it been a totally military project, such fiasco as in the non-delivery of the LCS ship after RM6 billion spent would have seen swift action taken long ago with the culprits being court martialled.

Arshad also urges the need to establish whether the unaccounted RM1 bil out of the RM5.9 bil LCS disbursements ever reached BHIC or its subsidiary – Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS), the contractor of the project.

If it did, then boards member and directors of BHIC involved must be charged for criminal breach of trust and fraud.

If not, then the Ministry of Defence Malaysia (Mindef) must be held accountable, with the culprit should face the full penalty of law, regardless of their position.

With the success of the project, Arshad believed that Malaysia will be able to defend local shores better and will have an economic multiplier effect to the hundreds of local vendors supporting the building of the ship. – Nov 30, 2020

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