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KUALA LUMPUR – Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has denied claims that the ministry has already decided on an RM854 million contract to purchase the self-propelled howitzer (SPH) artillery system for the armed forces.
According to Kosmo, Hishammuddin explained that negotiations with the company in question are still ongoing.
He dismissed the claims that the award has already been settled to the new company, saying that they are merely meant to raise negative perceptions for political purposes.
“Such allegations can be attributed to attempts to raise doubts or anxiety, but I would like to state here that we have yet to award the SPH contract, and negotiations are still underway between the Defence Ministry and the Finance Ministry (MoF).
“It is obvious that, with the current political landscape, people want to say many things.
“All I ask is that we remain rational and allow the appropriate process to continue as usual,'” he was quoted as saying by Kosmo during a press conference at the Sg Besi army camp today.
Hishammuddin said that documents pertaining to the procurement of defence assets are usually classified information.
He expressed his concern about such information being leaked despite negotiations still ongoing.
“I’m not worried over the contract award process, but I am worried over possible leaks of sensitive information pertaining to our defence assets and overall readiness to our enemies,” he said.
Previously, PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli had claimed that a company, which was established less than two years ago, would be awarded the SPH contract worth RM854 million.
Rafizi further claimed that the company also does not have a track record within the defence industry despite allegedly being awarded such a huge defence contract. – The Vibes, October 5, 2022
