Submarine probe going well: Envoy

KUALA LUMPUR: The investigation into the controversial purchase of Scorpene submarines is proceeding smoothly with both the judiciary authorities of Malaysia and France handling the matter, said French Ambassador to Malaysia Frédéric Laplanche ( pix).

“The cooperation between the judicial authorities in France and in Malaysia is very good. They have been in contact with the new Malaysian attorneygeneral on all issues related to past questions and I sense a strong willingness for cooperation by both sides.

“These issues are in good hands and they are being dealt with,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview held in conjunction with France’s National Day celebration tomorrow.

He, however, said he could not comment further on the matter as it came under the scope of the French judiciary, an entirely independent body.

Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu was reported as saying last month that the setting up of a task force will be discussed in the Cabinet to investigate the allegations of corruption in the purchase of two French submarines that were made in 2002 when former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak was defence minister.

In 2002, Najib oversaw the purchase of two Scorpene-class submarines and one Agosta-class submarine from French naval dockyards unit DCN, worth nearly € 1 billion (RM4.68 billion).

In May, soon after the new government was formed, Mohamad Sabu also said he would need to get a full picture of the Malaysian Armed Forces before looking into the details of the issues and scandals within it, including the purchase of the Scorpene submarines. – Bernama