86-day delay in littoral combat ships construction - PAC

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed that construction of the littoral combat ships (LCS) has been delayed by 86 days.

This was revealed through follow-up action proceedings held by the PAC with the Defence Ministry on Jan 24.

At a press conference today, chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said as of December 2023, the project has reached 67.28 percent completion.

This is in comparison to the timeline set by the ministry, which stipulated that the ships could be 68.77 percent completed by that period.

“Even though the difference is 1.49 percent, this has resulted in a delay of 86 days,” she said.

The Masjid Tanah MP also revealed that the LCS detailed design issue has yet to be finalised between the ministry and LCS design superviser, Naval Group, from France.

Meanwhile, Mas Ermieyati (above) also announced that it had initiated proceedings on Feb 26 over the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll system, under the Works Ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority.

She said that although the issues regarding the project were not highlighted in the Auditor-General’s Reports, the PAC has invoked Standing Order 77 (1) (d) of the Dewan Rakyat, Treasury Instructions (Amendment 2023) 301 and Section III Article 11(b) General Circular No.2 (1982).  

“This is the second time that the 15th Parliament PAC is conducting proceedings that have not been reported in the Auditor-General’s report. 

“The previous time involves the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD CORP) on its management of training funds, which commenced on Oct 23 last year,” she said. 

The Bersatu lawmaker did not disclose the reasons behind its probe on MLFF.

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