KUALA LUMPUR: The government has opted to lease 28 AugustaWestland 139 helicopters as part of a strategic initiative to optimise spending, spreading RM16.6bil more sustainably over 15 years, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
In a written parliamentary reply, Azalina stated that the lease agreement includes comprehensive maintenance, insurance coverage, and training for over 1,300 personnel, ensuring a minimum fleet availability of 85% for all agencies utilising the helicopters.
“Our current government-owned helicopters range from 12 to 32 years old and are overutilised for critical operations such as search and rescue, medical evacuations, security, logistics, and humanitarian missions.
“The decommissioning of the Sikorsky S-61A-4 by the Malaysian Armed Forces in 2020 exacerbated the fleet gap, increasing the operational burden on existing helicopters,” she said.
Azalina was responding to a question from Mumtaz Nawi (PN-Tumpat) regarding the RM16.6bil allocated for the helicopter lease. Mumtaz had queried this expenditure in comparison to the RM9.8bil required to complete the East Coast Highway Phase 3 (LPT3), questioning the government's priorities between these two significant infrastructure projects.
Azalina also cited a study by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, which revealed that between 2011 and 2015, the readiness level of Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft was only 43%, well below the required minimum of 70%.
“Leasing allows us to enhance our fleet readiness while minimising fiscal pressure. Between 2020 and 2024, five government helicopters were lost, imposing a substantial financial burden due to asset write-offs,” she said.
The lease arrangement, she added, also provides the government with the option to purchase the helicopters for a nominal RM1 each at the end of the concession period. More importantly, she noted that the government incurs no costs during the supply phase, including training expenses, which will be covered by the concession company.
Azalina pointed out that this leasing approach aligns with practices in advanced nations such as France, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
“Ensuring the readiness of strategic assets is paramount for safeguarding national sovereignty and public safety,” she said.
On the LPT3 project, Azalina said it is currently under review by the federal government, in collaboration with the Kelantan and Terengganu state governments.
“The review is focused on the proposed route and ensuring the project provides value for money and benefits the public, potentially through a public-private partnership to alleviate fiscal strain.
“The government remains committed to upgrading nationwide road networks, particularly in the East Coast, to ease traffic congestion during peak seasons.
“While planning continues, travellers to Kelantan can use the existing Central Spine Road, which connects to the East Coast Highway.
“Given the importance of both projects, the government prioritises project readiness and complexity rather than costs alone when making decisions on critical national initiatives,” she said.
