Rafizi said this is because Najib, who was in office when the government signed the deal for the LCS project with Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) in 2011, was the only person with the power to influence a change in the ship’s design from the navy’s requirements.

In a statement, Rafizi also claimed Najib had previous dealings with DCNS, having used its services for other national “mega” projects.

DCNS, now known as the Naval Group, is a sub-contractor for the LCS project. The same company also sold Malaysia two Scorpene-class submarines in 2002.

Rafizi claimed he was in possession of leaked documents which gave the impression that a deal for the littoral combat ships was “pre-determined” even before the government signed the agreement with BNS.

He said these documents, as well as the ministry’s and BNS’ ignoring of the navy’s views on the design of the ships, suggested political interference in the procurement of the ships.

“That is why I have said that former prime minister Najib Razak cannot wash his hands of this scandal, calling on Najib to answer the questions raised,” he said.

On Thursday, Public Accounts Committee chairman Wong Kah Woh said the defence ministry and BNS had ignored the navy’s views on the LCS project.

Wong said not a single ship had been completed although Putrajaya had spent RM6 billion on the project, which was given to BNS via direct negotiations.

Defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein later said those involved in misconduct in the project would be brought to justice. He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission was still investigating the case.