KUALA LUMPUR: No company has won the tender to supply artillery systems to the Malaysian Army, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
The Defence Minister said that negotiations in the procurement process were still ongoing.
According to Sinar Harian, he was responding to PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli who claimed that a company that has "strong cables" won the tender to supply self-propelled howitzer artillery systems worth RM854mil to the Malaysian Army.
"Actually the procurement process is still ongoing and the claims today are trying to create doubt and confusion. I can confirm the SPH is not yet awarded.
"Negotiations between the Defence and Finance ministries are still taking place," he said during a visit to Kem Perdana Sungai Besi on Wednesday (Oct 5).
Sinar Harian had reported Rafizi claiming that the company in question was set up less than two years ago and has young directors.
Rafizi claimed that the company had written a letter to its "cable" asking for the tender award decision to be made.
"This 'cable' then responded, supporting the application and urged for further action to be taken," he said.
He said the company had no record in the defence industry but obtained a large arms supply contract.
Rafizi said he would reveal other flaws in the purchase of the cannons over the next two weeks.
