According to Bernama, Mohamad said the construction of the ships will proceed as part of strengthening the country and navy’s defences.

The LCS project is said to be the largest defence procurement in Malaysia’s history with a total cost of RM9 billion.

The project came under much scrutiny last year after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed that not a single ship had been completed although Putrajaya had spent RM6.08 billion on it.

It had been awarded to Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) through direct negotiations.

When he was still opposition leader in August 2022, Anwar Ibrahim had urged Putrajaya to halt the next phase of the LCS project, saying the funds should be redirected to assist the people instead.

In March, the Ismail Sabri Yaakob-led administration decided to proceed with the project, before the release of the PAC report in August.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, which investigated the project, had recommended that several individuals be charged.

Mohamad also reiterated that the defence ministry will continue with the implementation of the 2021-2030 defence white paper.

The white paper was presented by then defence minister Mohamad Sabu in 2019, and was endorsed by Ismail, who was then the opposition leader.

It seeks to chart Malaysia’s defence plans for the next 10 years, citing an increase in terror threats, the military tension in the South China Sea, cybersecurity attacks, and a rise in human and drug trafficking.

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