PUTRAJAYA has consented to declassifying the governance, procurement and finance investigation committee’s (JKSTUPKK) report on the littoral combat ship (LCS) project.
In a statement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the committee’s report will be made available to the public.
According to Ismail, the Cabinet has agreed to declassify the 2019 forensic report on the project, although the Government will need to obtain the attorney-general and auditor-general’s advice on this matter first.
Ismail Sabri stressed that the Government viewed the issues concerning the RM9 bil LCS project seriously and had ordered the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to expedite its probe.
“If there is strong evidence, the attorney-general must file charges and bring those responsible (for any malpractice) to justice,” he was reported as saying.
“I contacted attorney-general Idrus Harun and MACC chief Azam Baki after the Cabinet meeting (today) to tell them to act swiftly, in line with the Cabinet’s decision.
“On behalf of the government, I guarantee that investigations on the issue will be conducted transparently and that the government will not protect anyone involved.”
Ismail went on to say that the Cabinet’s decision today would not disrupt the mobilisation process under the LCS Project Recovery Plan, which the Cabinet had agreed to proceed with on April 20.
He reiterated that the Government was committed to going ahead with the project for the sake of the navy and armed forces’ interests.
Last week, the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) called for the JKSTUPKK report on the procurement of the six ships to be fully declassified.
This is following the PAC’s report on the project.
On Monday (Aug 8) former defence minister Mohamad Sabu or commonly known as Mat Sabu and his deputy, Liew Chin Tong said three documents pertaining to the LCS should be declassified by the Cabinet to find solutions to the scandal.
They said without the declassification of these documents many questions about the scandal will remain unanswered.
Mat Sabu and Liew also asked the Government – especially Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein – to declassify the Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd’s (BNS) forensic report on LCS commissioned in 2019.
The audit was conducted by audit firm Alliance IFA (M) Sdn Bhd.
“This forensic report is crucial as it contains details of exactly who was culpable at the operational level,” they said.
Last week the PAC revealed the Government has paid a total of RM6.08 bil for the LCS project. However, not a single ship has been delivered.
According to the original schedule, as of August 2022, five ships should be completed and handed over to the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM).
Instead, the cost of the LCS has increased 50%, bringing the total cost of the project to RM9 bil. – Aug 10, 2022
