“Ghost” Ships for a “Real” Navy?

The Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) is one the largest defence procurement in Malaysia’s history. Under the programme, 6 vessels were to be built by Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (“BNS”) for approximately RM9 billion. Of which, RM6 billion has been spent so far with no ships in sight.

The Royal Malaysian Navy or TLDM had initially agreed to use the Sigma design proposed by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding. The first delivery of the 6 LCS’ was supposed to have taken place in April 2019. In December 2020 it was revealed that the first ship was only 59.79 percent complete despite some RM6 billion been paid out. A previous deputy defence minister said that RM1 billion paid out for the warships could not be traced.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com

Indonesia ordered four Sigma-class ships in 2010. This was the original request by TLDM. For Indonesia, the first ship was commissioned in 2017 while the second was commissioned in 2018.

BNS continued the project despite its alleged poor track record, including the New Generational Patrol Vessel (NGPV), which was reportedly impacted by delivery delays and large unforeseen additional costs. The matter was investigated by the 11th Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee in 2007.

The problem with defence procurement is that it is supposedly to be done in “secret”, so that others may not have information on details of our assets. But in Malaysia, we are an “open” book, most of our so-called secrets are known to others.

The LCS saga is for all to see and yet we may not have a closure. It is like buying two submarines that initially could not dive! We will talk of best practices, proper safeguards, transparency and commitment but in reality none of these matter when there are no ships and two thirds of the allocated sum is spent. Is there someone who will take the fall? None for now! Meanwhile, will the Government issue a White Paper on the saga without blaming other political parties? I suppose that is too much to ask especially if the former defence minister is the current chief of the ruling political party.

Reference:

MP Speaks: Government must be transparent on LCS saga, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Malaysiakini, Jan 30, 2022 (https://www.malaysiakini.com)