PKR Youth attacks Syed Saddiq over LCS remarks

PKR Youth yesterday hit out at Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, accusing him of "moving the goal post" in the matter of a motion to debate the littoral combat ship (LCS) issue and calling for the matter to be taken into account in the evaluation of his party's bid to join the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.  

In a statement, it noted the speaker's response that reports on the LCS issue were presented in Parliament every three months. 

"Therefore, it is appropriate for this matter to be objectively determined based on the latest information and developments, with and additional commitment by the speaker to allow this matter to be debated once the full report is obtained," it said. 

"Syed Saddiq's claim that the motion was rejected because it was not a matter of public interest is an attempt to divert from the real issue."

Accusing Syed Saddiq and his party Muda of "continuously spreading misinformation and half-truths that discredit the government", it said the matter should be examined and taken into account in the evaluation of Muda's application to join PH.

Syed Saddiq said on June 8 that his proposal for an emergency motion on the LCS project had been rejected by Johari Abdul.

According to him, the speaker had said that the issue was neither urgent nor of public interest. 

He said it was crucial for the defence ministry to provide a detailed explanation of the project, which became the centre of controversy after it was revealed that not one of the six ships had been delivered despite billions of ringgit spent. 

PKR Youth said Syed Saddiq had given the impression that the Dewan Rakyat and government as a whole was indirectly "evading and protecting" the LCS investigation. 

"But the real issue is that his motion to the speaker was considered incomplete because it did not clearly state three important issues, namely 'specific matters, urgent need, and concerning public interest'," it said. 

"Each of these elements need to underscore the rationale, which should not be based only on the issues that he wants to raise." 

It also said that Syed Saddiq's questions on the increase in cost and reduction in ship numbers had already been answered by the defence ministry. 

"Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari has also assured of his commitment to completing the first LCS, which is expected to be done in November 2024 and commissioned for the use of the navy at the end of 2026," it said.