SEPANG, June 11 — The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will summon the Defence Ministry (MINDEF) to provide clarification and an update on Norway’s decision to revoke an export licence for Naval Strike Missile (NSM) intended for Malaysia.
Its chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the matter will be discussed during a briefing on June 23, which will also involve the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Security.
“We had previously written to MINDEF, and I have received a letter from the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali informing us of the status following the Norwegian government’s decision.
“However, that was some time ago, and I understand there have been new developments. Therefore, we will call MINDEF to PAC to provide clarification and a briefing,” she told the media after a PAC working visit to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) today.
The Royal Malaysian Navy’s six Littoral Combat Ships were originally slated to be equipped with anti-ship missile systems produced by Norway’s defence company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace under a €124 million (RM571.9 million) contract signed in April 2018.
However, Oslo revoked the export licence for the NSM system in March, just days before the scheduled delivery, following tighter export controls on sensitive military technologies.
Last Tuesday (June 2), Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that the unilateral decision had caused Malaysia direct losses exceeding RM600 million for the missile procurement, while indirect costs could surpass RM1 billion.
On the PAC’s visit to KLIA, Ermieyati said it formed part of the committee’s efforts to complete its report on the management of public airports.
The committee is in the final stages of finalising the draft report ahead of its tabling during the next Dewan Rakyat sitting, slated to begin on June 22.
The visit provided the committee with a clearer picture of the progress of several high-impact projects, including the aerotrain and baggage handling system (BHS), to help it prepare its findings and recommendations.
“By conducting site visits and observing the progress of projects and operations firsthand, we are able to further verify the information presented during the proceedings,” she said.
Ermieyati added that the committee also had the opportunity to closely observe BHS operations and better understand the challenges and risks involved in upgrading the ageing system.
The PAC will continue to monitor the implementation of the projects to ensure they are completed on schedule while preventing waste, leakage, and misconduct in the management of public funds.
