FORMER deputy defence minister Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah) wants answers from the Defence Ministry (Mindef) on whether the helicopters that are part of the controversial RM16bil helicopter leasing contract are fit to perform essential military operations.
“I would like to ask Mindef whether the AW149 helicopters can perform basic functions such as under-slung transport of 105mm howitzers, that are widely used by the Malaysian Army?” he said while debating the motion of thanks for the royal address.
“I hope the Defence Minister would address this during his winding-up speech on his ministry without sidestepping the subject or by providing long-winded explanations. I am only asking for a brief explanation,” he said, adding that he wanted to know whether the helicopters could perform the same as the now- retired Sikorsky S-61or Nuri fleet.
Ikmal Hisham said he felt something was amiss with the controversial contract touted as one of the biggest defence deals.
He said he was sceptical on the capability of the AW149, adding that it may not fully meet the army’s daily operational requirements, such as resupply missions to remote outposts, parachute training for special forces soldiers, and search-and-rescue operations during disasters, among others.
He said the six-decade old Nuri fleet was able to perform ‘under-slung’ actions without any issues.
“But if the AW149 cannot perform basic under-slung duties that can be done by the Nuri and the EC725 helicopters, why did Mindef go ahead with the contract?” he asked.
Ikmal Hisham also questioned the government’s urgency in signing the agreement with Weststar Aviation Services Sdn Bhd, which he said is an intermediary rather than a helicopter manufacturer.He expressed doubt on the Government Operate, Company Own and Maintain (GOCOM) agreement.
If the government is going to use the same cost-saving excuse to justify the GOCOM agreement, he said it should have instead entered into an agreement with the helicopter manufacturer, Leonardo.
The helicopter model, he said, was not a sought-after defence asset compared to the Blackhawk helicopters.
“There is no reason to rush to lock the deal. An international open tender process would have been the way to go,” he added.
