Malaysia able to produce ships that vanish from radar?

As I read former Navy chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar’s statement on the acquisition procedure of the construction project for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), I could feel his disappointment.

As the end user, all of his critics and opinion on the said project was allegedly not acknowledged and listened to not just by the Defence Minister but up to the leadership as well as the Prime Minister himself.

The disclosure made by Aziz contained reports from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that were presented last Thursday.

Aziz said the official letters were given to the Defence Minister Chief Secretary, Defence Minister, Treasury Department Secretary General, Chief Secretary to the Government and the Prime Minister.

“I have forwarded at least 10 letters. A letter of unsatisfaction, letters to inform of RMN’s stand to the Chief Secretary, five letters to the respected Minister, one letter to the Chief Secretary to the Government and two letters to the most respected, Prime Minister.

“These letters were all recorded. We keep records to ensure they can be used as references so I will not be blamed for failing to fulfil my duty as the Navy Chief.

“I have expected all this. This is because I have criticised the acquisition plan from the start.

“Since the beginning, I said, ‘Something is gravely wrong’” he said in his answer shared by PAC.

Before this, Aziz had never released such a statement openly.

“I have stated my biggest disappointment to all of those who should be listening to me (through the critics he had done before this),” he said.

Last Thursday, PAC Director, Wong Kah Woh reportedly said the viability review (due diligence) done by the government towards the responsible company for the construction of RMN LCS failed to identify the company’s financial issues.

Taxpayers’ money

He said the issue was proven when the government had to pay the upfront payment of RM1.36 billion to Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) even though it went against the Treasury Circular Letter Bill 5 2007 that was in effect at that time.

The issue was among nine summaries acquired by the PAC through proceedings regarding the LCS issue.

The report also brought up matters pertaining to the Sigma type ship design chosen by RMN and agreed by the Defence Minister but it was changed to Gowind type ship design on July 11, 2011 upon the recommendation of BNS that was brought to the Defence Minister on July 8, 2011.

Kah Woh explained that every procurement of tools or equipment for the national defence must prioritise the needs of the RMN.

However, the priorities were not just ignored but all payment procedures on the contracted progress work did not follow the operational standard practised by the government.

It was extremely clear how from top to bottom, no one cared to review, question, judge and challenge any records and decisions made on the project.

Taxpayers’ money had been misused for up to RM6 billion but not one ship has been successfully constructed.

From all that money, RM1 billion could not be detected.

How easy for taxpayers’ money to disappear just like that when in fact if we paid our taxes just a second late, we would be penalised.

How about those who embezzled all the money? Until now, no one has been brought to court.

It was extremely disheartening to hear the ending of such stories.

So much so that it had become a laughing stock on social media – America had successfully created fighter jets undetected in radars, while Malaysia could only create ships that would completely vanish from the radar.

It is very concerning for the future of the integrity of this nation because there is no more shame in the eyes of corruption and embezzlement.