The Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) insists that the construction project of the first Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV 1) belonging to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) needs to be completed in March this year as stipulated in the original commitment.
Its minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah will follow the progress of the project closely to ensure the construction of the ship is completed within the stipulated time.
“However, to be honest I think they still need a period after March (the date OPV 1 should be completed), (but) not long, this year should be there.
“I clearly mentioned the government’s position that the handover date should not be changed or extended for a long period for reasons that we cannot compromise,” he told the media after inspecting the construction of the OPV 1 ship here today.
The media reported that the government injected a loan amounting to RM152.6 million to ensure that the MMEA’s OPV 1 ship project was completed this year and that the project was now taken over by the Ministry of Finance.
Therefore, Saifuddin said the additional allocation is expected to help to complete the project within the stipulated time.
“All the main components have been (installed), there will be an escort boat arriving. Everything is stuck because of the payment aspect.
“But with the new injection, I hope that aspect will not be a problem,” he said.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin also informed that the construction of the OPV 2 ship is expected to be completed next October.
