Patriot queries speedy conclusion of chopper deal

PETALING JAYA: Patriot president Brig-Jen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji has urged stern action against those involved in the “speedy conclusion” over the procurement of six helicopters costing more than RM300mil by the Defence Ministry (Mindef ) in 2016.

Arshad claimed there were serious irregularities in the procurement of these specialised helicopters, which have yet to be delivered.

“Since the contract was sealed by the previous government, it is imperative for the previous defence minister and all officials associated with the procurement to assume responsibility for this dereliction of duty.

“Action must be taken against wrongdoers, no matter how high their positions are, including those who have retired from the civil service and the military, ” Arshad said.

He also called out former defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein for his silence over the matter and “his audacity” in asking how Mindef planned to spend the

RM15.6bil allocation under Budget 2020 as the helicopter fiasco had happened under his watch.

Arshad added that it was “baffling” that there was a speedy conclusion of the contract for such an important defence procurement – in just 18 months, with full delivery expected in less than two years.

He also questioned the procurement of the assets, which he said was flawed from the outset.

In June, Mindef lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption

Commission over the purchase of six McDonnell Douglas MD530 lightweight combat helicopters.

The six helicopters meant for the army cost more than RM300mil and to date, RM113mil has been paid.

The contract, signed in November 2016 following a demonstration during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) in 2015, stated the helicopters would be delivered in two batches – in July 2017 and December 2018.

The purchase was said to be conducted through an appointed agency linked to a very senior official of the ministry then.

It was also reported that the original price quoted was US$60mil, but three months later, the price was inflated to US$70mil.

On Friday, Mindef released a statement to say that the late delivery of the choppers was due to “various technical issues and that the ministry would not be pressured by any third party into making any decisions.