Mat Sabu warns against speculating on Mindef helicopter purchase

Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu has warned against speculating on matters affecting his ministry, such as the purchase of helicopters.

Mohamad said in a statement today that such speculation could hamper ongoing probes by the Governance, Procurement and Finance Investigating Committee (JKSTUPKK).

"As with the JKSTUPKK findings on the ‘land swap’ issue that came before, the Defence Ministry will table the matter in the cabinet before lodging a report to authorities such as the MACC and police for further action.

"Therefore, unrelated parties should not speculate on any issue investigated by the JKSTUPKK such as the purchase of helicopters, because this would affect the investigation process," he said.

Earlier today, Free Malaysia Today reported that military helicopters worth RM300 million purchased during the previous BN-led administration have yet to be delivered to the armed forces.

The report quoted unnamed sources who claimed that financial irregularities had also been found in the deal to purchase six MD530G ‘Little Bird’ light attack helicopters from US aerospace company MD Helicopters (formerly McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems).