Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Berhad which has been under scrutiny for alleged misappropriation conduct by its employees has come out reiterating that it is committed to ensuring the delivery of the Littoral Combat Ships by abiding by all requirements of the Special Monitoring Committee to be set up under the LCS Revival Plan approved by the Cabinet recently.
The shipbuilder has responded to the positive outcome made by the Government with regards to whether to continue with the project, Boustead says it is ready to mobilise its team working on the LCS project and provide frequent reports on the progress of stages of the shipbuilding activities to the committee that is headed by the Secretaries-General of both the Defence and Finance Ministries.
Senior Defence Minister, Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the Cabinet unanimously agreed to proceed with the procurement of the LCS for the Royal Malaysian Navy and will monitor closely the six months’ mobilisation period to restart the project.
BHIC Chief Executive Officer, Sharifuddin Md. Zaini Al-Manaf said BHIC is cognisant of the high expectations from the Government, the Royal Malaysian Navy, and the nation as a whole, said: “We have the facilities and experience, and with the support and cooperation of RMN’s LCS Project Team, our vendors, lenders and the Government, we are ready to continue with the project.”
The LCS is one of the assets in RMN’s 15 to 5 Fleet Transformation Programme to further bolster the armada with fit-for-purpose, modern ships. When completed, the LCS will significantly boost RMN’s strength and capability to safeguard Malaysia’s maritime security.
Group Managing Director of BHIC’s parent company Boustead Holdings Berhad Dato’ Sri Mohammed Shazalli Ramly said that the decision made by the Government stands as testimony to the commitment of the Government to RMN and to safeguarding the nation’s maritime defence.
“In addition, it also underscores the Government’s oversight on the project, BHB as a group, are behind all efforts to revive the project during the mobilisation period and ensuring the LCS vessels are completed and delivered to the RMN.” added Shazalli.
