LCS probe still ongoing with statements being taken locally and abroad, says MACC

JOHOR BARU: The investigation into the RM9bil littoral combat ship (LCS) construction project is still ongoing, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner reiterated that no one would be protected in its investigation into the LCS scandal.

"We will call up more witnesses not only in Malaysia but also abroad to record their statements. As our investigators needed help to get statements from overseas, we require a bit more time," he added.

Azam said this in a press conference after officiating the end of training assembly for assistant enforcement officers at Johor MACC headquarters here on Thursday (March 16).

When asked if MACC would be calling VIPs as part of their investigation on the LCS issue, Azam said he did not rule out anyone.

"I am not ruling out anybody. Whether the person is a VIP or a minister, if the individual is involved in the case, they will be called to ensure a thorough investigation," he said.

On Tuesday (March 14), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said MACC must do follow-up action to find the real culprits behind the controversial delay in the LCS construction project.

He added the probe must continue as the previous action was not enough to uncover the culprit.

"Although there was prosecution, it was not enough, as the scandal was done on a large scale.

"There were leakages... so there must be follow-up action," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) during Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.

In August, Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed that some RM1.4bil in government allocations for the LCs project had been diverted for other purposes.

Following this, former Navy chief Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor, 78, was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust involving RM21.08mil at the Sessions Court here.

Anwar said any investigation by the relevant bodies including the MACC or Inland Revenue Board must be comprehensive and not focused on just one party.

"That is why recently even the Shah Alam Umno division chief was charged.

"(If) any individual (is) found with strong evidence by the MACC (and) Attorney General's Chambers, they must accept it," he said.