'Navy secrets sale': Lodge report, Suaram told

If human rights group Suaram has proof that Malaysian navy secrets have been sold to a foreign company, then it should lodge a police report to enable investigations.

Ibrahim Ali(centre in photo), who heads Malay rights pressure group Perkasa, said Suaram should also produce a copy of the document involved.

Suaram had on May 31 revealed that a French inquiry into Paris-based shipbuilder DCNS found that it had paid RM36 million euro (RM142 million) to Terasasi (Hong Kong) Sdn Bhd as part of the purchase of two Scorpene-class submarines by Malaysia.

Part of the payment, the NGO has claimed, was for the sale of aclassified document of the Malaysian navy's evaluation of the purchase order.

Ibrahim said that, while the government cannot compromise if there are indeed elements of corruption, the public should be wary of allegations made by foreigners.

"This information coming out of France and the west, we need to be cautious, sometimes they like to spin things," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

On June 2, PKR had lodged a report against premier Najib Abdul Razak, challenging the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the claim.

'Political gimmick'

On a separate matter, Ibrahim, who is Pasir Mas MP, urged the people of Kelantan not to heed the call by Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat for donations to build the Kota Bharu-Kuala Krai highway.

"The highway will cost RM1.8 billion. You can keep donating and even in 50 years the highway will not be completed,” said Ibrahim.

"It is under the jurisdiction of the federal government but they would face delays problems in acquiring land for the highway, especially if the state government is creating trouble.”

He also said thedonation-funded highway dubbed the 'People's Highway' is in fact an election gimmick by the PAS-led state government to sow discontent against the federal government.

"After 23 years of rule, several issues are cropping up such as slow economic growth, unemployment, locals leaving the state, inability to provide clean water supply ... 

“PAS is trying to cover up (all these weaknesses) by trying to create sympathy among the people, hoping that the locals will vote (for) them in the next general election.”

It would be best if the money is donated to mosques or orphanages, he added.