ANWAR Ibrahim has demanded that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) conduct a “full, no holds barred investigation” into the multi-billion-ringgit littoral combat ships (LCS) procurement controversy, saying the country cannot afford “to repeat this financial malfeasance continuously”.

The PKR president said MACC must give an absolute guarantee that there would be one.

“Yes, they will say it’s ongoing but it has been there for the last 10 to 15 years,” he told journalists in a media conference in Kuching after announcing the appointment of the party’s Sarawak chief.

He said what he meant by a “full investigation” was not only investigating the CEOs and officers in the company (Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd) that was given the direct contract to build the six LCS for the navy but also investigating all ministers, senior government officials, and “even the prime minister concerned, if he’s involved”.

Najib Razak was the prime minister when the government approved the procurement.

“The MACC must respond and must give categorical assurance that there will be a full investigation.”

Anwar also lambasted Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein for comments he made yesterday when he, in response to statements made by Anwar earlier, said the LCS project cannot be halted and had to continue.

Anwar accused Hishammuddin of “clear insolence of office” in not reading and not commenting on what was said.

“(He’s) trying to manipulate by defending the excesses of the (then Barisan Nasional) government.

“I said the ongoing project cannot be terminated but you must monitor it effectively.”

Anwar said it’s the last phase of the project, costing more than RM500 million, which must be stopped.

The RM500 million that is saved, he added, should be passed back to the service veterans, pensioners, and the poor.

“The country cannot afford to repeat this fiasco continuously.”

Anwar said Hishammuddin should respond properly to all the questions he had asked regarding the lack of tender called for the procurement, the lack of monitoring, the leakage and gross corruption, and many more.

“I challenge him and the MACC (for the answers).”

Hishammuddin should not create his own narrative and just dismiss our criticisms.” – August 6, 2022.