MACC in final stages of probe into LCS project, says Azam Baki

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is in the final stages of its probe into the multi-billion ringgit Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) scandal, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.

However, the MACC chief commissioner said that its findings could not be revealed yet, as it involved sensitive and secret matters, Sinar Harian reported.

"Investigations into the matter have been going on for the past few years.

"I have said many times that we are investigating and are nearly at the end of the probe," he was quoted as saying on Saturday (Aug 6).

"I have to be mindful of the sensitivity of the investigation as it does not only involve the MACC, but other agencies as well, including the Attorney General's Chambers," he said.

On Thursday (Aug 4), Parliament's Public Accounts Committee had said that some RM1.4bil in government allocation for the multi-billion-ringgit LCS project had been used for other purposes, including cost overruns.

"Payments made by the government to Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) were not fully utilised for the LSC project," PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh told reporters in Parliament's media centre on Thursday.

He said a witness testified that RM400mil was used to repay previous debts incurred under the New Generation Patrol Vessel (NGPV) project.

"Another RM305mil was used for an integration facility in Cyberjaya, while another RM700mil was cost overrun which was above the ceiling which had been agreed under the LCS contract," he added.

The two-year probe by the PAC also revealed that the RM9bil project was done through direct negotiations with BNS and inked in 2014.

"The government paid out RM6.08bil for the project, but not even one ship has been completed.

"Based on the original schedule, five ships should have been completed and delivered by August 2022," he added.

Last Wednesday (July 27), Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz told Dewan Rakyat that the MACC has wrapped up investigations into the scandal and has submitted recommendations for the Attorney General to decide on the next course of action.