Muhyiddin calls for RCI into combat ship scandal

Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin today called on the Cabinet to form a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into claims of misappropriation in the litterol combat ship (LCS) project for the use of the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM).

In a statement today, he described it as the latest scandal of the former kleptocratic government, saying it had caused billions in losses. 

“Although the administration of the kleptocratic Barisan Nasional (BN) ended at the 14th general election, we are still haunted until today by the relics of its depravity,” he added.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed on Aug 4 that nine proceedings related to the lCS project from Nov 18, 2020 onwards had found that not a single ship was completed.

According to PAC, the project contract worth just over RM6 billion was issued through direct negotiation with five ships to be completed and handed over this month.

Yesterday, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the government would make reports on the project development in stages.

He said the defence ministry had been given six months to mobilise efforts to revive the project, and that he believed the first ship would be delivered to TLDM within two years. 

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said PN strongly opposed the corrupt practices and misappropriation that had taken place under the BN administration.

He added that PN would not allow a return of such practices.