LCS project approved under Zahid's thumb, says Chin Tong

SHAH ALAM - Former deputy defence minister Liew Chin Tong said the littoral combat ship (LCS) project was approved by Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the defence minister in 2011.

Due to that Liew said Zahid should not run away from his responsibilities and should be accountable to explain to the rakyat following reports on the project.

“The LCS project was approved by Zahid Hamidi as Defence Minister in 2011. Zahid is also the one who decided to convert the LCS system from sigma to gowind system before consulting and asking for advice from the navy.

“Zahid is responsible for the misappropriation of funds and the failure of the LCS project that took place," Liew claimed.

“He must answer to the people now,” Liew said on his Facebook posting.

Earlier, Zahid had said putting the blame over the failure of LCS project on him is unreasonable since he was not the defence minister when it was granted.

Zahid was the defence minister from April 2009 to May 2013.

On August 4, PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh said in a statement that the maritime force's views as end users of the vessels were not taken into account, which led to the original Sigma design chosen by the Navy being changed to the Gowind design on July 11, 2011, following a suggestion by Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS), the project contractor to the minister of defence on July 8, 2011.

The committee also found that the contract for the LCS project was awarded to BNS through direct negotiations, according to Wong.

PAC will summon Zahid to complete the proceedings over the failure to supply six LCS worth RM9 billion by early next month.