ARMY veterans have lauded Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu’s swift move to set up a high-level committee to investigate various scandals plaguing the armed forces.

The National Patriots Association president, Mohamed Arshad Raji, said the association was ready to assist in whatever way necessary.

“Those appointed need security clearance, as these are security and defence matters and are bound to be classified,” he said, adding that members of Patriot had been vetted for security clearance as army veterans.

Arshad said it was high time to stop the rot in the armed forces, citing the Scorpene submarine scandal, privatisation of military land, procurements at inflated prices, and shortage of medicines in military hospitals as examples.

Arshad highlighted the purchase of four Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) from China that cost RM1.17 billion last year, compared to the estimated RM250 million reported in 2016.

“The LMS are basically lightweight large patrol crafts fitted with guns. The price range can easily be checked and compared with different suppliers. For those who know, a price tag of RM1.17 billion is much too high,” he said.

Arshad also advised the government to redeploy the supporting army from peninsular Malaysia to be permanently stationed in Sabah, instead of procuring new assets.

“The 2013 Lahad Datu incident left behind many lessons to learn. To counter incidents like armed foreign incursions, the security forces stationed in Sabah need to be supported with the required supporting arms, and not wait for deployment from West Malaysia after an incident has happened,” he said.

Arshad commended the government for placing the East Sabah Security Command under the Defence Ministry.

It was previously under the Prime Minister’s Office.

“With our current fiscal squeeze, we need to prioritise procuring hardware. Military and strategic defence has to go hand-in-hand with our foreign policy.

“The current threat lies most in piracy, illegal encroachment into our territorial waters, and the Islamic State threat. As such, our naval hardware demands priority to meet the needs of maritime patrolling, counter piracy and kidnappings for ransom, and equipment for cyber warfare,” he said.

Arshad said Patriot was also prepared to set up committees to assist in welfare matters for veterans, and any other matters related to the Defence Ministry. – May 28, 2018.