THE littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal gives Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob breathing space from the intense pressure of Umno’s so-called court cluster to hold a snap general election, PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said.

Speaking in front of 200 audience at the launch of his Ayuh Malaysia campaign last night, Rafizi said Ismail would use the issue to palm off the constant barrage from the likes of former prime minister Najib Razak and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The court cluster refers to a group of Umno leaders who are either on trial or have been convicted of various corruption charges.

“Ismail will use the LCS issue against Zahid, Najib and Hishammuddin Hussein. He knows that if an election is held soon, he would probably lose his position.”

“Najib wants to return as PM, while Zahid too wants to become PM. It is said that Hishammuddin also wants the job.

“This issue would put a stop to the demands,” he said during the launch of his Ayuh Malaysia campaign in Wangsa Maju last night.

Yesterday, Zahid pressured Ismail to hold the general election in the next few months to ensure victory for Barisan Nasional (BN).

On Facebook, the BN chairman said the coalition is currently at its strongest and is “very confident” about its chances.

“Umno does not want the opposition to continue its attacks on BN in the months to come should the polls be held next year.

“Delaying the election means giving the enemy ammunition to continue attacking us,” he said.

However, Ismail responded by saying any election can only be done when the ‘country is ready’.

In a televised address in conjunction with his first year as prime minister, he said there should be no rush because Malaysians should be given space to vote for who they think should be their government, so the country will not rush into it until it is ready.

He added that the people have a right to get an explanation on the LCS scandal, and the government will not cover up its part in the matter because it boils down to integrity.

According to Ismail, the furore surrounding the RM9.13 billion contract should be prudently explained to avoid speculation and people jumping to conclusions.

“The previous government failed because it did not properly explain 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to the people.

“That ultimately led to people speculating and drawing their own conclusions on what had happened – or what they thought had happened.

“Yet, because we failed to give a proper explanation, the issue eventually blew up,” he said last night.

Meanwhile, Rafizi said Najib, Zahid and Hishammuddin could not wash their hands of the scandal as each had a role in the procurement process.

“For Zahid, who previously denied any wrongdoing, a document has been leaked showing him giving the approval when he was the defence minister.”

“Najib was the finance minister and any decision about government spending must have gone through him.”

Two weeks ago, the Public Accounts Committee released its report on the LCS and the contract with Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd.

Although the government had already paid RM6.08 billion in costs, none of the ships had been delivered.

According to the original schedule, five ships should have been delivered to the ministry this month.

Recently, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said in a post on Facebook that the government will focus on putting the project back on track.

He said negotiations with vendors, original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and banks are being carried out. – August 21, 2022.