PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth has urged Putrajaya to set up a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal.
The youth wing is the latest to make such a call, following Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan and DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang.
Taking to Facebook, Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said endless blaming, speculation and provocation by various parties had taken place ever since the scandal was exposed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
He described the development as “unhealthy” since it created negative perceptions of sensitive military assets, preparedness, as well as national security and sovereignty.
Asyraf added that the wing believed that there was a need for an “authoritative end” to the scandal so that all parties, particularly the navy, would be able to achieve the original objective behind the procurement of the LCS units, which was to improve its defence capabilities.
“Plus, Umno leaders who have served in previous governments and those who are serving in the current one want investigations and (further) action to be taken immediately following the PAC report.
“Therefore, Umno Youth would like to push the government to set up an RCI immediately to investigate this issue in a comprehensive and independent manner,” he added.
Earlier, PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh said the defence ministry and Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) had ignored the navy’s views on the LCS project over the design of the ships.
He also said not a single ship had been completed although Putrajaya had spent RM6 billion on the project, which was given to BNS via direct negotiations.
He added that the navy should have received five of the ships by August this year.
On July 27, deputy defence minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had completed its probe into the LCS scandal, with charges recommended to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
Following the release of the PAC report, defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein said his ministry would comply with the committee’s recommendations for the project.