Rafizi wants truthful answer on LCS from Hishammuddin

Rafizi & Kerismudin

Malaysiakini : Senior Minister (Defence) Hishammuddin Hussein must reveal the true cost behind the controversial littoral combat ships (LCS) project, said PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli.

In a statement, the former Pandan MP pointed out that what was said by Hishammuddin (above, right) contradicted the statement by Malaysian Armed Forces Chief General Affendi Buang.

As such, he wanted to know how many ships will be completed and handed over to the government, the delivery schedule, and the overall cost.

“Malaysians are still confused by the conflicting answers on the progress of the LCS project and the costs that will be borne by taxpayers.

“On Aug 8, Hishammuddin was reportedly saying the first ship will operate in one or two years and this means the delivery of the first LCS is expected in 2023 or 2024.

“This is contradictory to the statement made by Affendi, who said on Sept 13 that the first ship is expected to be delivered in January 2026, the second ship in September 2026, the third ship in May 2027, the fourth in January 2028, and the fifth ship in September 2028,” he said.

As such, Rafizi (above, left) urged Hishammuddin to provide a candid answer relating to the contradictory data.

“With over RM6 billion being spent in the RM9 billion LCS project, the remaining allocation is insufficient to complete the entire project. Hishammuddin had said that the LCS cost would reach RM11 billion and they expected that only two ships can be completed with that amount of money.

JBond : LCS have become Large Corruption Scandal like 1 MDB, Scorpene, Lembugate, SRC etc. Anything that UMNO warlords are involved, it’s a gone case right from the start because their dirty hands are all over the funds allocated.

MerdekaMerdekaMerdeka : “With over RM6 billion being spent in the RM9 billion LCS project, the remaining allocation is insufficient to complete the entire project.“ Very possible if the price of ply wood sheets and timber remains the same till 2028. Even if those are just mock up ships being made, but it can be costly too. Just imagine, the ‘fake’ metal cone ‘cover up’ for the unfinished mast of the completed 40+% only LCS Maharajalela itself costs RM400k+. A one time use ‘costly wayang’.

darmakochi : Hisham please kindly answer Rafizi and please do not beat around the bush! The average Malaysian like me has completely lost confidence in the present jingoes helming our battered nation from almost all fronts and very fast becoming a failed nation.

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