SUNGAI BESI: The bipartsian Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has the power to call any party in its probe over the delay in the delivery of the three offshore patrol vessels (OPV), which were supposed to be completed in 2020, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“PAC has the right to summon any department, government agency, ministry or anyone if there are issues that require explanation.
“It is up to them,” the Prime Minister said when met by reporters at Semarak Patriotik IPT 2022 held at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia yesterday.
He said he was informed that the OPV were still under construction and would be completed soon.
“We were told that they were supposed to be completed soon and we would wait for them.
“I have yet to get the full details regarding the OPV,” he added.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director-general maritime admiral Datuk Mohd Zubil Mat Som said on Sept 13 that the three ships, under construction by local company THHE Destini Sdn Bhd in Pulau Indah, Klang, would be delivered to the MMEA early next year.
“The Covid-19 pandemic also contributed to the delay.
“OPV 1 was supposed to be launched on Sept 13, but it could not be done as the ship could not be transported to the launch location.
“The company will change from the launch cradle method to an air balloon launch, which is expected to take place on Oct 10,” Mohd Zubil said in a statement.
When contacted PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh declined to comment.
Perak Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa previously alleged that RM500mil was spent out of the RM739.9mil allocated for the procurement of the three vessels.