PSSC urged to quiz MACC on delays in LCS probe

 

The Parliament's Special Select Committee on agencies under the Prime Minister's Department has been urged to investigate the anti-graft agency MACC. 

Veteran MP Lim Kit Siang said this was necessary due to the lack of progress in the MACC's investigation into the littoral combat ship (LCS) procurement. 

"This is most unsatisfactory. I hope that the PSSC will meet urgently and summon (MACC chief) Azam Baki to explain why the MACC failed to take action against anyone for the RM9 billion LCS scandal.

"(The MACC) had the benefit of two reports on the LCS scandal - the Special Investigation Committee on Public Governance, Procurement and Finance on the LCS (JKUSTUPKK) headed by then auditor-general Ambrin Buang and the report of the forensic audit of the LCS procurement (2011-2014) carried out by Alliance IFA (M) Sdn Bhd.

"These reports contained a myriad of possible charges on corruption, abuse of power, breach of trust, malpractices and cheating," Lim (above) said.

Both these reports were relied on by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) investigation into the matter. Eventually, the PAC recommended that the MACC prosecute those involved in the scandal. 

However, after the PAC had released its findings, the MACC reacted by charging former Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd managing director Ahmad Mohd Nor for offences that were unrelated to the LCS project. 

MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki

Lim said the PSSC should also query the MACC on why it had not acted earlier on the LCS project, given its massive cost and the fact that the project dated back to the time Najib Abdul Razak was defence minister.

"The PSSC should specifically ask Azam whether the MACC had questioned Najib on the RM9 billion LCS scandal.

"Or is the PSSC on agencies under the Prime Minister's Department the first PSSC to fail to make any difference in the governance of the country?" he asked.

The PSSC is chaired by Kuala Kerai MP Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman. - Mkini