Why millions paid to agents in navy purchase?

Ksn: There is one aspect of our defence procurements that Malaysians have great difficulty understanding and accepting.

For example, where does someone like Abdul Razak Baginda fit in? The procurements are meant for the respective wings of the Armed Forces. The Armed Forces personnel know their needs best and they have the expertise to decide on their requirements. They also know who the manufacturers of such armaments are.

Why do we need third parties who are actually non-professionals to negotiate the arms deals and get paid hefty commissions running into millions of ringgit like in the case of Razak Baginda? It is totally without any logic or reason.

Or is it to facilitate payment and distribution of kickbacks? What else, if not this?

Sarawakian_3ff9: Why is there a need for middlemen in the purchase of military hardware? Are the Armed Forces so daft that they need some non-military agents to introduce them to the suppliers?

Military equipment, especially large and expensive items like submarines, helicopters and other naval craft, are monopolised by a few suppliers who would gladly pay for military personnel to visit their construction sites and factories to test their wares.

There is no need for commissions either. The way things are done now stinks to high heaven of corruption - in the millions, one might add.

Joe Lee: The Malaysian Army, Navy and Air Force have been absolutely short-changed by their civilian masters, the Umnoputras.

This is one of the many reasons why the military should be absolutely neutral when it comes to the government of the day.

If one day they are called on by Umno to launch a coup against a newly-elected Pakatan Rakyat government, they should remember that they are only required to be loyal to the people of Malaysia, not the racist Umno-Perkasa-Perkida jokers, or the other funny guys in the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission).

Mengxiang: Oh my god, one of these 'special' patrol boats now cost a hefty RM1.5 billion? Imagine how much can be done for the people if all this money were channelled for their benefit instead.

This is all too much to bear. The cost of a single boat could build a number of schools and hospitals and fund other welfare programmes.

Are we at war? If you think the people are going to take all this lying down, you better think again. The corrupt regime and PM Najib Razak has the gall to claim he sacrificed a lot for the good of the people.

Swipenter: Doesn't it make your blood boil knowing how pervasive corruption has become in our country?

Check the people behind all these companies and it would be a huge surprise if they are not related to Umno politicians and/or their cronies.

Everything is compromised - the quality, suitability and functionality of our weapons purchases, not to mention the lives of our soldiers and the navy boys using these weapons. We also have scandals involving army rations, boots, uniforms, etc. This is really so sickening.

Avatar 111: This is what we called ‘daylight robbery', but it is done shamelessly in every purchase and contract dished out by the government.

Corruption in Malaysia is now a institutionalised team effort,happening right before the eyes of every citizen. What a great nation we are.

Onyourtoes: Pilferage and corruption have become a fine art in Malaysia. How can we ever tolerate so much, allowing this country to be plundered dry when the government finance is already in deficit.

Who are our enemies, what open conflict and war are we anticipating?

Kita chief Zaid Ibrahim, if you see all these, why the need to quarrel among the opposition? Do the right thing, Zaid, there is nothing shameful to go back to PKR and get the job done.

Bluemountains: In the purchase of the submarines, they used a locally-registered consultant to channel the ‘commission', which was disguised as support services. But everything became public knowledge when Altantuya Shaariibuu was murdered.

Now for the boats, they have decided to use foreign-registered consultants to avoid detection. Corruption money paid into foreign currency accounts in Singapore cannot be divulged even with a court order.

Tell the Truth: This is so disgusting and shameful! After the Scorpene submarines fiasco, don't they ever learn? To rob the rakyat blind and so arrogantly, it only goes to show that Umnoputras have no respect for the people and are so greedy that they don't even care.

And they call themselves Muslims and say that they are defending Islam. How are they doing that by stealing from the people?

Gen2: The submarine commissions set the precedent and because MACC dared not take action against  it, others get encouraged to milk cash from the government through commissions.

Without fear or favour? I want to vomit every time I hear that phrase from MACC.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .