On August 11, 2022 the MACC issued a statement saying that it had completed its investigation papers on individuals linked to the LCS scandal, that the investigation papers had been handed to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) and the MACC had made recommendations on what charges to file against these individuals and waiting further instructions after the AGC had studied the papers.

In the next few days, the MACC allowed the Malaysian public to believe that charges would be preferred against individuals for the LCS scandal.

In the middle of August, the former Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) managing director and vice-executive chairperson Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court involving RM21.08 million under Section 409 of the Penal Code.

But the three charges of Ahmad Ramli predated the LCS scandal and had nothing to do with it and concerned other defence procurements.

The Letter of Award (LOA) for the supply of six LCS at the total value of RM9 billion was issued on 16th December 2011 but the three charges levelled against Ahmad Ramli predated the LOA.

Despite my repeated statements asking the MACC Chief Commissioner to clarify that the three charges against Ahmad Ramli had nothing to do with the LCS scandal but concerned other defence procurements, Azam chose to play the “deaf, blind and dumb” game, leaving the public with the impression that the three charges against Ahmad Ramli were because of the LCS scandal.

On Sept. 8, however, Azam said MACC needed more time for its investigation into the LCS scandal as MACC needed time to summon more witnesses, including a few who were overseas.

What is the reason for the MACC’s conflicting statements – saying on
August 11 that MACC had completed its investigations on the LCS scandal and contradicting it on Sept. 8, saying the MACC needed more time for its investigations in the LCS scandal?

Is Azam going to continue to play the “deaf, blind and dumb” game?

Can Azam Baki explain why the MACC had failed to take action against anyone for the RM9 LCS scandal although he had the benefit of two reports on the LCS scandal for over two years – the Special Investigation Committee on Public Governance, Procurement and Finance the LCS (JKUSTUPKK) headed by then auditor-general Ambrin Buang and the report of the forensic audit of the LCS procurement (2011-2014) carried out by Alliance IFA (M) Sdn. Bhd. at the behest of Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (BHIC), both of which contained a myriad of possible charges on corruption, abuse of power, breach of trust, malpractices and cheating?

Did the MACC recommend that the UMNO President, Zahid Hamidi, should be charged in court for overturning his own decision as Defence Minister in 2011 and as recommended by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to contract six Dutch-made Sigma LCS and chose the Scorpene manufacturer’s six French-made Gowind LCS without consulting the Navy, the end-user?