Reveal the truth of the theft of jet engine from RMAF airbase in Sungai Besi, KL.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Central Government to reveal the truth of the disappearance of the turbojet engine from the Kuala umpur Sungai Besi RMAF airbase since 2007.

What is the effective action taken? Were these engines worth RM50 million or more? Were they sold to South America?

On 20.12.2009, Dr Tan has read the media report on the loss of the General Electric J85-21 afterburner turbojet engine for the single-seater F-5E Tiger 11 and RF-5E Tigereye.

After the press exposure, the Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday that a group of low-ranking officers were in cohoots with civilians in the theft.
He insisted that the ministry would ensure that the inventory and asset movement procedures were properly controlled.

It seems that four people have been detained in connection with the jet engine disappearance. But, there have been no details of the true situation.

The Public Accounts Committee will discuss the matter and decide on the step to be taken. The people have the rights to know. After all, the jet fighters have been purchased with public fund.

Defence purchases of any country mean massive public money. It cost hundreds of million of ringgits to buy a military submarine. The same applies to jet fighters. A squadron may cost tens of billion of ringgits. This needs stringent scrutiny to prevent massive wastage including corruption. RMAF bought not just Tigereye, but also Russian MIG fighters for which it has bought spare-parts from China or India. After a time, it replaces MIG with Russian Sukhoi fighters. Can you imagine the amount of money spent?

We continue to bring up the subject of purchase of military hardware such as aircrafts and submarines. We would like to know the truth of the theft of the Tiger jet engines.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw