PETALING JAYA: The procurement and finance investigation report on the littoral combat ship (LCS) should be declassified, says Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M).

“We urge the government to be transparent, explain what went wrong with the LCS project, and declassify the report done under the then auditor-general Tan Sri Ambrin Buang,” said its president Dr Muhammad Mohan.

He said while TI-M understood Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s rationale to ensure the RM9bil project was completed and not abandoned, there were issues which the government needed to explain.

He asked what the rationale was for awarding the project to Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) in 2011 via direct negotiation.

“Were red flags raised when BNS first indicated its inability to deliver the LCS within budget?

“Who was responsible for approving changes to the design specification of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s preferred LCS?” Muhammad asked.

TI-M urged the government to be transparent in the issue.

“The government should not hide behind the Official Secrets Act or national security if corruption and power abuse is detected.

“Ensuring the LCS project is not abandoned is important. Holding those responsible accountable for their actions is vital,” he added.

On Saturday, Anwar said there was no choice but to complete the LCS project as RM6bil had already been spent on it.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/05/30/ti-m-urges-govt-to-declassify-lcs-report