FORMER defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein must explain why six military helicopters purchased on his watch in 2016 have not been delivered, the National Patriots Association (Patriot) said today.

Patriot president Brig Gen (rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said Hishammuddin had been silent on the issue which was recently reported in the news.

“Patriot wants a decisive closure on the six undelivered McDonnell Douglas MD530 lightweight combat helicopters purchased in 2016. What actually happened to these helicopters?

“The former defence minister has not spoken a word yet has the audacity to ask how the Defence Ministry plans to spend its 2020 budget,” said Arshad.

The previous Barisan Nasional government signed a contract to purchase the helicopters for RM322 million in 2016 following a demonstration of the aircraft at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition the year before.

Putrajaya has paid RM113 million towards the purchase. The sum amounts to 35% of the total contract value.

The helicopters were to be delivered in two batches, in July 2017 and December 2018. None has been delivered so far.

Arshad asked if it had been necessary to appoint an agent to handle the purchase.

“It was reported that the purchase was through an appointed agency that was close to a very senior official of the ministry. The appointed agent, who had no previous experience in dealing with military assets, was allowed to conduct direct negotiation with the supplier.”

“Why was there a need to appoint an agent, when the procurement could be done by the government itself? The agent was reported to have failed in his responsibility to see the contract through. Had a commission been paid to the agent?” Arshad said.

In June, the Defence Ministry (Mindef) lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over the undelivered aircraft.

Last night Mindef said in a press statement the delivery delay was due to “technical issues” with the original equipment manufacturer.

The ministry said the delivery date had been delayed even though the government had met its payment obligations according to the schedule stated in the contract.

“The ministry is currently studying information and feedback received from stakeholders in order to make a decision regarding this acquisition.

“The government has identified several options that can be taken to resolve the problem and will ensure that any decision made will cause only minimal loss to the government,” Mindef said. – November 2, 2019.