Amanah urges for RCI to look into LCS issue

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Amanah Negara has handed a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, requesting a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the littoral combat ship (LCS) issue.

The party's mobilisation bureau chief Mohd Sany Hamzan said it was important that an RCI was formed so that a thorough investigation could be done.

"We are really hoping for an RCI as this matter involves the country's security and sovereignty," he told reporters after handing over the memorandum to Istana Negara's Corporate Communication chief Datuk Muzli Mohd Zin in front of Gate 3 of Istana Negara on Thursday (Aug 11).

Mohd Sany said the RCI was needed not only to regain the confidence of those in the navy and the Armed Forces, but the confidence of the people as well.

"Billions have been spent but we have yet to see the completion of the ships. Those involved in the LCS project should be investigated, he said.

"We want justice in this matter as we don't want billions of taxpayers' money to go to waste," he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had been told to expedite investigations into the LCS case.

He had added that the Attorney General had been told to prosecute and bring those responsible to court, should there be solid proof.

"Two high-level investigative reports about the LCS will also be made public.

"I have met Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

"I think the investigations are underway and there are several files that have been opened," he said after opening an international muay thai championship event in Petaling Jaya on Wednesday (Aug 10).

In a statement, the Prime Minister said, on behalf of the government, he wanted to give his "assurance and guarantee that an investigation into the issue will be transparent."

"The government will not protect anyone who is involved," he said.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon had also said an RCI should be formed by Putrajaya to probe the recent LCS scandal before the 15th general election (GE15) was held.

In joining with Umno to call for the formation of an RCI to probe the LCS scandal, Chong said the commission must be quickly set up to prevent another mega-scandal from undermining Barisan Nasional’s performance in GE15.