Guan Eng: After 21 months, you come back to me - don't talk big Zahid!

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi’s invite that I dive with the Scorpene-class KD Tun Razak 21 months after accepting his challenge neither hides the fact that the submarine could not dive upon delivery nor answer questions about the costly RM3.68 billion purchase and RM534 million service contract or “commission” given to Perimekar Sdn Bhd.

Zahid had challenged me in Parliament on 17 March 2010 to go for a submarine ride to prove that the submarine could dive. Zahid had then reassured me that the mechanical defect on Malaysia’s first submarine had been corrected but I had insisted that the Government return the vessel to the manufacturer to be replaced with a new one.

After all if one buys a new car, and there is a defect, you take it back to the showroom and ask for a new one. However Zahid refused my suggestion and challenged me to take a dive with the submarine.

Dive won't answer pressing questions of high costs and kickbacks

I had accepted immediately but did not realise that it would take 21 months for Zahid to fulfil his challenge. Does it mean it took that long to correct whatever technical defect that prevented the submarine from diving in the first place?

This only revisits questions about the controversy of the high cost of purchasing the submarine and suspicions about awarding the service contract to a company that had no previous track record or experience in servicing and maintaining submarines.

The BN government must realise that not only huge sums of public funds amounting to RM4.214 billion are involved but the safety of sailors are at stake to ensure that the highest standards or safety and security are maintained by experienced and expert service companies with a proven track record.

I will go to LIMA in Langkawai and fulfil the challenge made by Zahid 21 months ago. But the public is still waiting for answers to the questions about the high cost of purchase and service contracts which are also subject to suits in a foreign country.

Lim Guan Eng is the DAP adviser and Penang Chief Minister