Posted on 7 May 2008 - 03:40am
KUALA LUMPUR (May 6, 2008): No commission was paid by the Government to any parties for the purchase of the RM4.5 billion Scorpene submarines and the RM3.2 billion Sukhoi jets, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said today.
Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said allegations of corruption and cronyism were baseless as all these transactions were made in keeping with proper procurement procedures.
He was responding to calls by opposition leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday for the Prime Minister to set up an independent commission to probe these purchases as she claimed that large amounts of commission were paid.
Speaking to reporters after presenting excellent service awards to Defence Ministry personnel in conjunction with Workers Day in the Mindef headquarters here, Najib advised those who make such allegations to check their facts first.
His ministry also issued a statement that allegations that the ministry had paid RM540 million to Abdul Razak Baginda (an accused in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial) as commission to secure the Scorpene deal were without basis.
It said that a local company, Perimekar Sdn Bhd, was awarded a contract worth 114.96 million Euros to provide support and coordination services for a period of six years. This was the amount that was miscontrued as "commissions".
The company's job scope includes preparing accommodation facilities for 27 families and 156 submarine crew in France and Spain, preparing offices and health insurance policies for staff and crew, paying daily allowances of 50 to 60 Euros per person and buying return flight tickets for the crew three times a year.
Perimekar is a joint venture company between Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera, Boustead Holdings Bhd and KS Ombak Laut Sdn Bhd.
The ministry also clarified that the purchase of Sukhoi SU30MKM fighter jets was made through direct negotiations with Russian company Rosoboronexport and the Russians had engaged a Malaysian company to facilitate its business transactions here at their own prerogative.
"But the Ministry is not involved and has no interest whatsoever in any company appointed by the Russians,” the statement read.
Asked about DAP chairman Karpal Singh's recent comments on the Sultan of Perak that some quarters deemed seditious, Najib said it is up to the Attorney-General's Chambers to decide if they want to press charges against him.
"His comments were seen as seditious and challenging the constitutional right of the Ruler, but it depends entirely on the A-G's chamber's to decide what do next," said Najib. Karpal Singh had recently claimed that the Sultan of Perak had no jurisdiction over the transfer of Datuk Jamry Sury from the Perak Religious Department.
Perak Umno Youth lodged a police report against him yesterday.
In SUNGAI BULOH, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Karpal Singh's statement was an act of "rudeness".
He said questioning the action of the Ruler openly was not the Malaysian custom and that the MP for Gelugor should have expressed his dissatisfaction in a more "courteous" and "polite" manner.
"We in the BN (Barisan Nasional) government had never expressed our views on such matters and if we have any (dissatisfaction), we will seek an audience and convey our views politely. So this (action by Karpal) lacks finesse," said Muhyiddin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, at a press conference after visiting a furniture factory, Edu World Services Sdn Bhd.
"We must respect (the monarchy). It's not that we want to fight with anyone. Sometimes he (Karpal) Singh thinks that after being in Parliament for 26 years, he knows everything, so there is no need to give respect to others, especially the Rulers."
http://www.thesundaily.my/node/166505
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