THE report from the special committee that investigated the procurement of littoral combat ships (LCSs) was declassified today. 

However, some parts of the 106-page report were redacted on the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) advice.

The matter was informed by the Prime Minister’s Department Senior Deputy Chief Secretary Sollehuddin Alyubi Zakaria in his letter to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today. 

The letter sighted by The Malaysian Insight was also copied to Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali. 

In his letter, Sollehuddin referred to the cabinet’s decision on August 10 to declassify the report from the Special Investigation Committee on Public Governance, Procurement and Finance regarding the procurement of the six ships. 

“The Prime Minister’s Department has taken appropriate action to implement the process of declassifying the document. 

“However, after receiving advice from the AGC, references to paragraphs 2.39.1, 2.39.2, 2.39.4, Table 9, Table 10, Table 11 and Table 18 were redacted,” said Sollehuddin in his letter. 

The redacted sections include the names of board members and shareholders of Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) Sdn Bhd as well as information on the company’s loan as of May 31, 2019. 

The AGC also advised that the ownership of BNS and Perstim Industries Sdn Bhd should be redacted.

PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh also confirmed that he received notification on the report declassification. 

“PAC has received a declassified copy of the JKSTUPKK report,” he said, using the committee’s Malay acronym. 

PAC in its report on August 4 also suggested that the report by the special committee, which was formed during the Pakatan Harapan administration, be made public. 

It was then agreed by the cabinet in a meeting on August 10, as announced by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. 

The PAC report summarises the nine reasons for the failure of the RM9 billion construction project of six LCSs for the navy, which has not been completed. 

The report by the 14 MPs found, among other things, that the government had already paid RM6.08 billion to BNS through direct negotiation contracts, but no ships have been received so far.

PAC also suggested that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission take action regarding the procurement project and expedite prosecution. 

Yesterday, former navy chief Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor claimed trial to three counts of criminal breach of trust involving RM21 million in connection with the LCS scandal. 

The ex-managing director of BNS was charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court before judge Suzana Hussin.

“I plead not guilty,” he said to all three charges.

The 78-year-old, who became navy chief in 1996, was charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code. – August 17, 2022.