𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽 (𝗟𝗖𝗦): 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

Since the release of the Public Accounts Committee report on the LCS scandal last Thursday, 4 August, people now have more questions than ever about what had happened in the case of LCS project mismanagement.

To find solutions and the way forward, we urge Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and the government of Malaysia to decide at the Cabinet meeting this Wednesday to declassify the following documents for the nation to understand the problem.

Without the following documents being declassified, many questions will remain unanswered.

First, we endorse the suggestion of the Public Accounts Committee that the Tan Sri Ambrin Buang Committee report “Laporan JKSTUPKK berhubung Perolehan Enam Buah Second Generation Patrol Vessel (SGPV), Berkeupayaan Littoral Combatant Ship (LCS) Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, Kementerian Pertahanan Malaysia” be fully declassified. (PAC Report, Point 12.1, page 168). The report contains detailed financial information that is not fully disclosed in the PAC report.

The Jawatankuasa Siasatan Tadbir Urus, Perolehan dan Kewangan Kerajaan (JKSTUPKK) was formed by the Pakatan Harapan Cabinet on 30 May 2018 at the request of Minister of Defence Mohamad Sabu.

Second, declassify the Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS)’s forensic report on LCS commissioned in 2019. The audit was conducted by audit firm Alliance IFA.

This forensic report is crucial as it contains details of exactly who was culpable at the operational level.

Third, declassify the 10 letters by former Navy Chief Laksamana Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Jaafar, who was at helm from 1 April 2008 until 17 November 2015.

Dr. Aziz said to PAC “Kerana daripada awal lagi saya telah menegur tatacara perolehan. Daripada awal lagi. Saya telah menegur tatacara perolehan, saya kata, “Something is gravely wrong”. So, saya tidak mengeluarkan kenyataan- kenyataan ini di luar tapi ini adalah peluang terbaik saya untuk memaklumkan bahawa I have registered my greatest disappointment to everyone that was supposed to be listening to me.”

“Despite all the letters, despite seeing personal presentation to all those sama ada KSU, Yang Berhormat Menteri, KSN, KSP dan juga Yang Amat Berhormat Perdana Menteri, we were fighting a losing battle.” (PAC Report, Point 5.1.1 C iii, pages 19-21)

It is distressing to read his words. The then Prime Minister and Finance Minister was Datuk Seri Najib Razak whereas the then Defence Minister was Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, both decided to turn a blind eye to his warning.

For the sake of finding a solution for the multi-billion LCS scandal, the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday must agree to classify these letters and documents.

Mohamad Sabu

Former Minister of Defence

Liew Chin Tong

Former Deputy Minister of Defence