THE order for a first batch of littoral combat ships (LCS) has been reduced from six to five, navy chief Abdul Rahman Ayub said today. 

He said the decision was made when the new government decided to continue the scandal-tainted LCS construction project that was initiated in 2013.

“Initially it was six but when we re-submitted the application and discussed this matter again, it was agreed to reduce the LCSs to five,’ said Rahman in a press conference today.

“It is good to implement the project and there will be an additional agreement that will be signed soon. 

“This allows the next process to proceed and the construction to be carried out as planned,” Rahman said at a press conference today.

Earlier this year, Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan said the unity government will proceed with the multibillion ringgit LCS project. 

He said this was to strengthen the country’s defence.

Mohamad said the project would be completed by July 2024.

Malaysia’s largest ever defence procurement is worth more than RM9 billion.

In August last year, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed that not a single ship had been delivered even though the government had paid Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd more than RM6 billion.

According to the project’s original schedule, five ships should have been ready and handed over to the navy by September last year.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last year suggested a halt to the next phase of the LCS project involving RM571 million.

Anwar, who was then the opposition leader, said this was because the money would be better spent on aid for the poor and army veterans. – January 30, 2023.