The issue of six "missing" helicopters no longer arises as they will be delivered by end of this year, according to newly minted Foreign Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Hussein Onn.
He said this in response to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim who questioned the integrity of the new cabinet line-up, citing the undelivered helicopters totalling RM300 million purchased by the previous administration in November 2015.
"Yes, that's the best he can do, bring it on," said Hishammuddin, who helmed the Defence Ministry between May 2013 and May 2018.
"I have been called up by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on this helicopter issue," he told a press conference at Wisma Putra today.
"The chief of army said they are taking delivery of the helicopters by end of the year. So there is no longer an issue," he said.
Anwar had questioned if the new cabinet line-up was as "clean" as claimed by the new Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
"I want to ask, which MACC (officer) said the (cabinet) line-up is clean ? What are the aspects that are taken into consideration by the MACC in declaring the integrity (of the cabinet)?"
"[...] on the helicopters that went missing, that is a big case. There are others also involved," said Anwar without mentioning any minister.
The deal - dubbed "Little Birds" - was made under the BN administration with MD Helicopters Inc of US aerospace giant McDonnell Douglas Corp.
The six MD530G Light Scout Attack helicopters should have been delivered in two phases with two in July 2017 and four more by December 2018.
On Sept 5, 2019, it was reported that the army was expected to acquire the six light attack helicopters in stages beginning early next year
In November 2019, the Defence Ministry explained that the delay in the delivery of six helicopters was due to various technical issues related to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
Former defence minister Mohamad Sabu had previously said the ministry had probed the helicopter deal and his ministry would seek the Attorney-General's Chambers advice on the next course of action.
Mohamad also said the cabinet would be briefed on the course of action involving the helicopters issue in December 2019. - Mkini
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