PH would reinvestigate the littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal if it was re-elected in the next general election.

It said this in a joint statement by PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil, DAP publicity secretary Teo Nie Ching, and Amanah communications director Khalid Samad.

“We, Pakatan Harapan, promise to resume the investigation that was stopped by the Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional governments after we were overthrown, if the people give us a new mandate in the next general election.

“We will also implement all the strategies presented through the Defence White Paper that has been presented before.

“We will ensure that our soldiers receive the best treatment and that they are provided with the appropriate and best equipment to carry out their duties for the country,” they said in the statement.

PH said it was important to outfit the Royal Malaysian Navy with the best equipment so that it could protect Malaysian waters.

It added that it also regretted BN’s attitude of “take it or leave it” when it came to the navy.

This, they said, could be seen from how the LCS design was changed from the Sigma design, which was approved by the Navy, to the Gowing design recommended by the Naval Group, who was also responsible for the Scorpene procurement.

“What matters is getting projects for their cronies instead of meeting the needs of our military.”

Malaysia was rocked again recently with the longstanding LCS procurement issue back in the spotlight after the Public Accounts Commission (PAC) released its report on the procurement failures.

The report disclosed that it had held nine proceedings starting from November 18, 2020, with the last one held on March 8 this year, by calling several witnesses.

The PAC found that the contract was awarded to BNS via direct negotiations, with the government paying RM6.08 billion, but not even one LCS had been delivered.

According to the original schedule, five ships should have been ready and handed over by this month.

The project was started under the Najib Razak administration, when Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was defence minister. – August 18, 2022.