Site visit: Mohamad arriving at the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut. With him is TLDM Air Force Base Air Commander First Admiral Ahmad Shafirudin Abu Bakar. — Bernama
LUMUT: The Defence Ministry (Mindef) is satisfied with the status of the littoral combat ship (LCS) construction project, with one of the six ships expected to be ready next year, says its minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
He said his visit to the Royal Malaysian Navy base here found that overall, the construction of the ships was on schedule.
“For the first ship, there is only one more block to complete, and it won’t take long. The engine, propeller, and gearbox have been installed, only the electrical equipment and weapons (have yet to be installed).
“I am confident that this first ship will be ready in 2024 before undertaking seawater testing and being commissioned,” he said.
Mohamad said he had consulted the Finance Ministry, Economy Ministry and Mindef so as to be able to explain the actual situation on the LCS issue.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), in its report on Aug 4 last year, said the government had paid RM6.083bil to Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) in a deal that was allegedly awarded via direct negotiation, but not a single vessel had been delivered.
On Oct 2 last year, former defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the construction of the LCS project would resume as soon as negotiations ended in December 2022.
When asked about the status of the other ships, Mohamad said they would take about two to three years to complete.
“... some need to be checked in terms of leaks, artillery, and the ECU (electronic control unit).
“We hope that all previous problems will be resolved. This includes the issue with middlemen, which is almost resolved where from now on we will directly deal with the vendors only.
“There are also some who ask why we continued this LCS project (despite the ongoing economic uncertainty), and my answer is simple – matters pertaining to national sovereignty and defence cannot be compromised.
“You can say whatever you like, but Mindef remains focused on this,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said all 39 blocks of housing quarters for members of the Armed Forces and civil servants in the area would be upgraded in stages for the comfort of the residents.
Yesterday’s programme was also attended by Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Reza Mohd Sany and Mindef secretary-general Datuk Seri Muez Abd Aziz. — Bernama
