Reveal value of airbase calibration job, says MP
Former deputy defence minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz also urged the defence ministry to disclose if any penalty had been imposed on the company that failed to deliver four Black Hawk helicopters. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : A former deputy defence minister has called on the government to reveal the value of a new contract awarded to a firm which failed to supply four Black Hawk helicopters for the military last year.
Tanah Merah MP Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz said the defence ministry should explain the rationale for awarding the contract involving three military air bases to Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd.
Ikmal said, if true, it would be an 'unhealthy' culture in terms of defence asset procurement.
'The government must reveal the value of the contract in line with the principle of transparency. All the more since this is the same company that failed to supply the much-needed Black Hawk helicopters,' the Bersatu MP told FMT.
On Wednesday, FMT reported that Aerotree had been awarded a contract to calibrate the instrument landing system equipment for fixed-wing aircraft at three military air bases.
This came eight months after the defence ministry cancelled a RM187 million Black Hawk lease contract it signed with the firm after it failed to deliver the aircraft despite three date revisions.
The four helicopters, leased for five years, were intended to serve as a platform for the army's Air Team Nucleus, supporting both training and operational flight missions.
Ikmal, who chairs Perikatan Nasional's defence bureau, urged the defence ministry to disclose if any penalty had been imposed on the company for failing to deliver the helicopters.
He said the public deserved to know the company's track record in military procurement and defence facility development, especially in light of its failure in the previous deal.
FMT has reached out to the defence ministry for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Young voters want credibility, not nostalgia, Johari tells Umno members
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani today urged Umno delegates to shift their mindset and move away from clinging to past leadership glory, as the political landscape continues to evolve. According to Buletin TV3, the Umno vice-president said 40 per cent of voters in the next general election will be made up of young Malaysians, whose expectations and outlook differ from previous generations. 'These young people are not interested in narratives that divide Malaysia's multiracial society. Their friends come from diverse backgrounds. 'What they want is a leader who can navigate and shape a harmonious multiracial nation,' he said during his keynote address at the 2025 Titiwangsa Umno Division Delegates' Meeting today. Johari, who is also the Titiwangsa Umno division chief, said the party must remain inclusive and not marginalise non-Malay communities. He warned that failure to move beyond outdated thinking could result in a loss of trust among young voters. 'They're not interested in nostalgia. They want to see whether future leaders are transparent, open, and free of corruption. 'They are evaluating leaders based on integrity, credibility, and their knowledge to build a better future for their generation — and those to come. 'They're also looking for strong commitment from leaders — those who are willing to sacrifice time, effort and ideas for the nation without expecting rewards,' he reportedly said. Johari, who also serves as minister of plantation and commodities, said Umno delegates carry the responsibility of developing credible community leaders who can be seen as products of the party.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Malay unity call falls flat
THEY are big names in the Malay political world and they are urging the Malays and Muslims to come together under one big umbrella. There they were - the one and only Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his deputy Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. Billed as RM9.73 for the 1st month then RM13.90 thereafters. RM12.33/month RM8.63/month Billed as RM103.60 for the 1st year then RM148 thereafters. Free Trial For new subscribers only Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Telegram ignored over half of Malaysia's takedown requests, says communications minister
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — Malaysian authorities are escalating pressure on Telegram after accusing the messaging platform of routinely ignoring requests to take down harmful content — a move that has led to a rare civil suit and threats of stricter regulation. In a Free Malaysia Today report, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Telegram has shown the lowest compliance rate among all major social media platforms in Malaysia, acting on fewer than half of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) takedown requests. 'I have ordered MCMC to call Telegram for a meeting next week to discuss the issue,' Fahmi told reporters today after an event in Pantai Dalam. The remarks come days after MCMC filed a civil lawsuit against Telegram and two of its prominent channels — Edisi Siasat and Edisi Khas — for allegedly disseminating content that could erode trust in public institutions and threaten social order. The regulator said the two channels had published material in breach of Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and that this was the first time legal action had been taken against a social media platform with a local licence. Telegram is registered as an application service provider (class) in Malaysia. 'The move follows Telegram's serious failure to address content that has been repeatedly reported to it, despite multiple negotiation and cooperation efforts by MCMC,' the commission said in a statement. Fahmi added that MCMC had flagged over 1.18 million pieces of harmful content across platforms as of June 24 this year. Only 173,642 of those were removed. 'Of this number, 51 per cent of the content removed were online gambling ads, while 24 per cent were online scams,' he said. 'We will take strict action to ensure Malaysians do not become victims of cybercrime.' While MCMC has no power to directly remove content itself, it can issue requests and expects platform providers to comply. Fahmi stressed that the platforms ultimately bear the responsibility for restricting access to such material in Malaysia.
