Zahid gives Guan Eng's Scorpene dive a miss

Only three officials will be allowed to ride in the Scorpene submarine today: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his two deputy chief ministers, Mansor Othman and P Ramasamy.

However, Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he would not be accompanying the trio on the dive.

When met at the Langkawi airport about 2.30pm, Zahid (left, in white) confirmed this to reporters, saying: "I have another official function to attend to."

Asked if there would be a briefing later, after the dive, Zahid joked: "They will definitely be back," and hugged Lim tightly, drawing laughter from onlookers.

Escorting the trio will instead be a navy officer.

On Wednesday, Bernama reported Zahid as saying that he wouldaccompany Lim to board the submarine.

He had arranged the visit for the opposition to see first-hand that the submarine KD Tun Razak is not defective.

According to the report, the minister also ticked off armchair critics who were "not brave enough to embark on a trip in the submarine".

At an earlier press meet, Zahid told reporters that the purpose of the dive was to allow the opposition to witness the condition of the submarine.

"We are doing this for DAP and PKR now. If PAS wants a visit, we will arrange one as well."

Aides barred from dive

Lim and his deputies will arrive at Langkawi Airport at 1.30pm and at 2pm a helicopter will fly them to the location.

However, Lim's special assistant Wong Kim Fei and bodyguard Azmi Kechik are barred from accompanying the trio.

Lim's delegation is expected to be back at Hotel Awana Porto Malai at 4pm.

They will then attend a maritime demonstration and tour a static exhibition of warships.

Meanwhile, journalists covering the event will be ferried in a five-hour trip to a ship off the coast of Kuala Perlis to witness the event.

Reporters will not be allowed into the submarine and it is still uncertain if journalists will be able to meet Zahid or the Penang delegation on the ship after the event.

Zahid had invited MPs and senators, including those in the opposition, to board the Scorpene and embark on a diving stint to disprove opposition claims that the Scorpene was unable to dive.

However, Lim yesterday pointed out that the trip, some 21 months after Zahid first made the challenge, nevertheless ducks the allegation that the submarine was defective at the time of delivery.

"Zahid's gesture also does not answer questions about the costly RM3.68 billion purchase and RM534 million service contract or 'commission' given to Perimekar Sdn Bhd," Lim said.