Mindef updates its oversight, defence procurement measures: Khaled Nordin
In a written reply to Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa), Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said the LCS project has reached 72.9% completion as of June 25, 2025, slightly behind the original 76.1% target due to rework on piping and cable systems following recommendations from design authority Naval Group.
'The first LCS vessel entered the 'Setting to Work' phase in May and is scheduled for its first sea sailing in December 2025,' he said.
The second ship, which underwent a technical downslip in May, is expected to begin harbour and sea acceptance tests before being delivered to the Royal Malaysian Navy in April 2027.
Construction of LCS3 to LCS5 is currently on schedule, with delivery of LCS3 planned in 2027 and the remaining ships to follow every eight months, concluding in 2029.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is also acquiring three ANKA unmanned aerial systems (UAS) from Turkish Aerospace Industries, with 99% of assembly and 85% of system integration completed. The drones are slated for delivery in February 2026.
On air defence, the GM400a long-range radar system under development in Bintulu has reached 60% completion and is expected to be operational by April 2027.
RMAF is also acquiring 18 FLIT-LCA aircraft from Korean Aerospace Industries, with 69.47% of work completed, 3.47% ahead of schedule.
These deliveries are scheduled from October 2026 to August 2027.
Additionally, two maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) from Leonardo S.P.A. are under procurement, with one expected by June 2026 and the second by September 2026. The project currently stands at 65.8% completion, ahead of its 52.4% contractual timeline.
To ensure transparency and prevent mismanagement, Khaled said the ministry is engaging central agencies such as the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy, Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU), and the Attorney-General's Chambers in project monitoring.
'We've also established a Development Action Committee chaired by the Defence Ministry secretary-general, and another at ministerial level, to ensure procurement stays on schedule,' he said, adding that regular site visits, domestic and international, are being conducted to track progress.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
PKR leader's claims linked to internal auditing, police probe finds
Wangsa Maju PKR division chief Lai Chen Heng said a video clip had been selectively edited and circulated to smear his image. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A police investigation into claims by a PKR leader on unaudited contributions to a division found that the issue revolved around internal auditing, the home minister said. Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said it was also related to issues with the administration of the party. He said this in a written parliamentary reply to Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), who wanted an update on an investigation into a viral video clip featuring a man believed to be the Wangsa Maju PKR division chief. In May, a video, which surfaced on several social media platforms, appears to show Wangsa Maju division chief Lai Chen Heng commenting on financial contributions to the division from a prominent businessman. He allegedly referred to them as 'unaudited funds' associated with a senior political leader. But Lai maintained that the clip had been selectively edited and circulated to smear his image. In April, he had denied claims that the division's 2024 financial statements had been manipulated. He said such claims were baseless and politically motivated, adding that the financial report presented during the division's annual general meeting on March 1 did not receive any objections.
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Puncak Niaga's subsidiary to dispose of 3 loss-making units for RM3
Puncak Niaga said the three entities have been inactive and incurred losses since their acquisition by TRIplc Bhd in 2018 for RM210 million. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary, TRIplc Bhd, is disposing of its 100% stake in each of three dormant and loss-making units for a total cash consideration of RM3, as part of efforts to streamline its corporate structure and reduce costs. The three companies involved in the proposed disposal are Layar Kekal (M) Sdn Bhd, Samasys Sdn Bhd and Tirai Gemilang Sdn Bhd, each to be sold for RM1, Puncak Niaga said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia today. Puncak Niaga said the three entities have been inactive and incurred losses since their acquisition by TRIplc on May 31, 2018, for RM210 million, while the total cost of investment in the three companies was RM150 million. 'The board was of the opinion that the cash consideration of RM1 on each company is reasonable, as it enables the group to streamline its structure and achieve cost savings on annual statutory fees,' it said. According to the latest audited financial statements for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2024, Layar Kekal, Samasys and Tirai Gemilang recorded net losses of RM5.38 million, RM5.11 million and RM5.30 million respectively and all three companies had net liabilities of RM3,400 each. Puncak Niaga also clarified that the announcement of the disposal was delayed because the company only received the duly stamped share sale agreements in the late evening of July 30, 2025. 'As the stamping of the agreements is essential to formalise the transaction, the company proceeded to make the announcement on the next market day – July 31, 2025. 'The short delay was also required to complete internal verification and ensure compliance with Bursa's disclosure requirements under the Main Market Listing Requirements,' it added. Puncak Niaga also disclosed that all three companies share the same set of directors, namely Rozali Ismail, Taufik Afendy Othman, Azlan Shah Rozali, Faridatulzakiah Bakhry, and Shahree Shamsuddin. Copies of the audited financial statements for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2024, and May 31, 2018, are available for inspection at Puncak Niaga's registered office in Shah Alam for a period of three months from the date of this announcement.
Free Malaysia Today
9 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Halim reclaims MTUC presidency in fresh election
Halim Mansor, who first became MTUC president in 2016, narrowly defeated Effendy Abdul Ghani by seven votes at a special delegates conference held over the weekend. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The six-year leadership crisis at the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), which led to legal disputes and intervention by the Registrar of Societies, has been resolved with the re-election of Halim Mansor as president. Halim, who first became president in 2016, narrowly defeated Effendy Abdul Ghani by seven votes at a special delegates conference held over the weekend, which was ordered by the Shah Alam High Court. Effendy was elected as president in the 2022 triennial election, which was later declared null and void by the High Court. Halim said the long-running dispute had weakened the labour centre, resulting in MTUC losing its representation on statutory boards such as the EPF and the Social Security Organisation or Perkeso for the past six years. 'Now that the matter has finally been resolved through the court's intervention and a legitimate election has been held, I will ensure that MTUC regains its rightful place in these statutory bodies to protect workers' rights,' he told FMT. 'Enough is enough – the split in MTUC must be repaired. Thankfully, the election saw members from both factions elected into office, which bodes well for the organisation's future unity.' Halim said human resources minister Steven Sim called him immediately after the election to congratulate him and assured him that the ministry would cooperate with the new leadership to address pressing labour issues. He also thanked the minister and former MTUC secretary-general J Solomon, who was appointed by the court to lead the special joint committee overseeing the fresh election. Halim praised Solomon for implementing the court order impartially. Among the key office-bearers elected were Mohamed Dauzkaply as deputy president, Kamarul Baharin Mansor as secretary-general, and Bindu Patel as financial secretary. In the 2019 election, Halim was tied with another presidential candidate, but the then secretary-general and working committee failed to resolve the impasse and sidelined Halim. The committee later disqualified him from contesting the 2022 election, claiming that he was ineligible. This led Halim to file a lawsuit, and a year later, the Shah Alam High Court declared the 2022 election null and void, ruling that the actions taken were ultra vires the MTUC constitution. The court granted a conditional stay of execution, allowing MTUC officials to handle only daily operations and barring them from making policy decisions, public statements, or representing MTUC in official capacities. In February, the Court of Appeal heard a challenge by the then MTUC president against secretary-general Kamarul, with both of their 2022 elections being nullified. All parties eventually reached a mutual agreement to form a joint special committee to run MTUC and hold a fresh election within 90 days.
