Patriot lauds Mindef's move to investigate 'alleged' Armed Forces scandals

PUTRAJAYA: The National Patriots Association (Patriot) has lauded Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu's actions in setting up 'a high-level committee to investigate the alleged scandals which have come to haunt the Armed Forces.
In a statement today, its president, Brigadier-General (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji, said the association welcomes the minister's statement that a committee will probe the alleged wrongdoings to determine if there are grounds for prosecution or disciplinary action.

"From the case of the infamous Scorpene submarines, equipment malfunctions, privatisation of military land, procurements at inflated prices, shortage of medicine in military hospitals, the various reported improprieties, to the dissipating of military values and traditions where officers resort to kissing hand instead of saluting; it is high time the rot has to stop," he said.
Admitting that many military assets need upgrading, Mohamed Arshad said each one of the service chief, army, navy and air force would want the best.
"With the current fiscal squeeze, we need to prioritise in procuring hardware. The military and the strategic defence has to go hand in hand with our foreign policy.
"The current threat lies most in piracy, illegal encroachment into our territorial waters, and the Islamic State threat," he said.
As such, Mohamed Arshad opined that the country's naval hardware must be prioritised to meet the need of maritime patrolling, counter-piracy and kidnap for ransom, and equipment for cyber warfare.

He also called on the impending committee to look into the contract regarding the purchase of the four Littoral Mission Ships (LMS).
"In late 2016 Malaysia inked the agreement with China to purchased four LMS for an unknown price tag, but it is believed to be a total of RM250 million, as announced by the then Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
"However, it was reported that Boustead Holdings Bhd was awarded a RM1.17 billion contract from the Defence Ministry to supply the four LMS through a direct negotiation between the governments of China and Malaysia," he said.
The LMS, he said are basically lightweight large patrol crafts fitted with guns and the price range can easily be checked and compared with different suppliers.
"For those who know, a price tag of RM 1.17 billion is way too high."
On another matter, Arshad also suggested the redeployment of some of the supporting armed forces from West Malaysia to be permanently stationed in Sabah in an effort to counter potential foreign armed incursions in the future.
"Patriot commends the new government in placing the East Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) directly under the ministry.
"Like many other departments in the Prime Minister's Office, ESSCOM is another typical example of overlapping role with already emplaced established military organisation in Sabah.
"Hence, its existence is the sheer wastage of monetary and human resources," he said.

While the 2013 Lahad Datu incident left behind many lessons to learn, he said the security forces stationed in Sabah need to be supported with the required supporting arms through permanent redeployment rather than procuring new assets.
Patriot, he added are willing to volunteer themselves as part of the high-level security committee as it has members who have served in the tri-services at different levels and responsibilities, vetted for security clearance and are ready to assist in whatever ways necessary.
"With regards to the minister's intent of setting up the high-level committee, it is necessary that those appointed need security clearance as these are security and defence matters and are bound to be classified.
"We are also prepared to set up committees to assist in exploring how best to help in welfare matters for veterans, and any other matters relating to the Defence Ministry," he added.