MINDEF ready to assist authorities involved in LCS investigations - Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) will fully cooperate with all authorities involved in investigations with regard to the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) issue.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said MINDEF was ready to assist all authorities involved in the investigations, including the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Investigation Committee on Public Governance, Procurement and Finance Investigation (JKSTUPKK) and Forensic Audit.

"Me and the MINDEF leadership have nothing to hide but instead want the investigations to be settled for the sake of the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM), the people and the country.

"MINDEF can also assure that there will be no interference in the Cabinet's decision and the three things that I have put forward. First and foremost TLDM needs the LCS and therefore the project must go on in tandem with the Cabinet's decision last April," he said in a statement today.

Secondly those involved and found guilty must be brought to face the law while the third request is that within six months, MINDEF will carry out discussions with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), vendor and financial institution to mobilise the completion of the LCS.

"It is important for all stake holders to focus on efforts to continue the LCS project to ensure TLDM is equipped with the LCS as soon as possible as it is much needed," said Hishammuddin who welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today with regard to the issue.

Meanwhile, former TLDM chief General (R) Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin who spoke of the LCS 1 launch in Lumut back in 2017, said naming and launching before a ship is completed and commissioned is a tradition practiced by TLDM for many years.

He said accusations that the LCS launch in Lumut back in 2017 was aimed at cheating the people was not true because it was the actual LCS 1 ship that was in the building process and not a dummy that was launched.

"The launch in Lumut was not the first, instead such a practice is also followed by other countries but if the ship has not been completed, I can understand the feelings of the people. I am just called upon to correct the confusion among the public.

"When the integrity of TLDM is at stake, we need to correct such perception. The public must be clear of the truth and not be confused," he said in a statement today.

-- BERNAMA