Gov't proactive in presenting LCS project rescue plans - Hishammuddin

LUMUT: The government has been proactive in presenting to the people its plans to rescue the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said.

On the other hand, the Senior Defence Minister questioned efforts taken by Pakatan Harapan (PH) to do the same when they helmed the federal administration.

"I would like to ask them... during the 22 months they ruled, what did they do about LCS at that time? Pointing fingers is easy, playing politics with those issues is easy with TikTok and social media," he said.

"What I have presented to the people are our plans to save this project that involves various stakeholders, the Finance Ministry, the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd and the French government itself," he said.

At a media conference after an official visit to KD Panglima Garang at the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) base here yesterday, Hishammuddin, who is also incumbent Sembrong MP, urged the Opposition to show efforts taken to resolve the issue when they were the government.

"If they can show me that they can do better than what I have done today for the LCS, then that can be raised as an issue.

"Otherwise, I think what is being raised now smacks of politics," he said

In August, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed that not even one LCS had been completed even though the contract worth RM6.083 billion provided for five of the six ships to be completed and handed over by August 2022.

On Oct 2, Hishammuddin reportedly said that the mobilisation phase of the LCS project for six months starting in June has shown positive developments and was running smoothly in line with the recommendations made by several stakeholders.

-- BERNAMA