The government's planned purchase of submarines would not be put out to tender because that is the common practice where defence contracts are concerned, unlike in other business transactions, said a defence ministry official today.

"When we purchase submarines, it does not go through a tender process like any other normal business transaction," the official told malaysiakini .

According to the official, the companies involved would offer their expertise, "look at Malaysia's requirements and say that they have a certain equipment for sale".

Earlier, Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak told a press conference that several countries had made offers and the government is in the process of deciding which to accept.