LCS issue not ignored by govt, says PM

 

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government was continuing efforts to resolve the littoral combat ship issue.

BERA: The government has taken appropriate action on the procurement of the littoral combat ship (LCS) issue and has not ignored the matter.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the agencies responsible had also conducted investigations. In fact, the parties involved in misappropriation had been charged in court.

“Action has been taken on the LCS issue. Defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein had also made statements and explained the matter several times.

“Those who were accused of being involved in misappropriation and so on were investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“Some people had also been brought to court, so the matter is ongoing. We have not ignored it,” he told reporters after officiating the Anak Muda Gegor Bera Carnival at Dewan Konvensyen Bera here today.

He was replying to a statement by Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim who had demanded that the prime minister apologise to the armed forces over the procurement issue.

Ismail said whether it was deliberate or not, Anwar appeared to be unaware of what had happened because the explanation on the issue had already been given before.

Meanwhile, when asked about the opposition’s call for all candidates in GE15, including those from Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional, to declare their assets, he said this was done voluntarily by anyone who wanted to do so.

He said there was no need to do so because it was not provided for under any act. However, if anyone was appointed as ministers or deputy ministers, they were required to declare their assets.

“MPs do not need to declare their assets because they can do business, but ministers and deputy ministers must do so and we have done that.

“However, anyone who volunteers to declare their property like Rafizi (PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli) can do so. For me, things that are necessary and required by law must be adhered to.

“But what is not under any law, then there is no need.

“It is more about turning it into an election issue. Those who do not declare are deemed to have something to hide,” he said. - FMT