Hisham: Progress report on LCS project will be shared

Project revived: Hishammuddin is confident the first ship will be delivered within two years. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will report on the schedule and progress of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) construction project stages, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said his ministry was given six months to revive the project and he believed the first ship would be delivered within two years.

“We will look at how we can ensure that the promised ships are delivered and those who are guilty are brought to justice.

“I will report to the public the phased schedule for the construction of the ship,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara sitting here yesterday, reported Bernama.

Hishammuddin said this while replying to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Husain Awang, who had asked for clarification on the steps taken by the Defence Ministry in resolving the issue of the procurement of the ships as well as a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Razali Idris, who wanted to know the time frame involved.

He said the government was also giving its full cooperation to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the investigation into the issue.

“Our cooperation with the PAC is total. We have already faced the PAC more than 15 times.

“If there is a violation or abuse of power, the investigation is ongoing and action will be taken against those involved,” he added.

On Aug 4, the PAC disclosed that the committee had held nine proceedings regarding the LCS issue starting on Nov 18, 2020, and the last one on March 8 this year, by calling several witnesses.

It found out that the LCS project contract was awarded to Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd via direct negotiation, and the government paid RM6.083bil but not even one ship has been delivered.