Government can't disclose any detail in LIMA's deals

The government cannot reveal any detail in the 24 deals involving defence assets and services worth RM4.27 billion concluded at the Langkawi Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2013, said Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad.

Speaking to reporters after the attending the armed forces gathering at the Sunggala Camp here, he said this was to protect the interest of the companies involved in the agreements.

Dr Abdul Latiff was commenting on a call made by PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar to the government to reveal in detail any agreement signed after March 8, including the purchase 257 units of 8x8 armoured wheeled vehicles from DRB-HICOM'S Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (Deftech) at LIMA 2013.

Mahfuz claimed that the government no longer has any mandate after March 8 despite the Election Commission reiterating that constitutionally the government has a mandate until April 28.

Dr Abdul Latiff said Mahfuz was trying to create anxiety and instil hatred among the people by portraying that the government was abusing its power in cementing the deals.