Latest news with #LCS2
Focus Malaysia
6 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Scandal-rigged LSC project advances to 72.43% completion
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS) today to review the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) littoral combat ship (LCS) project, joined by Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar. The Defence Ministry reported that the project has reached 72.43% completion as of May 25, with LCS1 launched on May 23 and now in the 'setting to work' (STW) phase, set for sea trials in December, Bernama reported. 'LCS2 was launched earlier on May 8 and is currently undergoing continued construction, with STW activities planned to begin in September this year,' the ministry stated. LCS3 is on track for delivery in 2027, with LCS4 and LCS5 to follow by 2029. The RM9bil contract, awarded to Boustead Naval Shipyard in 2011 for six ships, has faced significant delays, with none delivered by the original 2019 to 2023 timeline. Allegations of mismanagement and corruption have fuelled public outcry, with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission recently completing its probe and recommending charges. Calls for a royal commission of inquiry and the declassification of reports persist, as Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders point to former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak and then-defence minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi — both of whom deny responsibility and instead blame PH for the setbacks. — June 15, 2025 Main photo credit: Bernama
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar confident LCS project will be completed on time
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is confident that the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project will be completed on schedule, with no compromise on integrity and governance. Anwar, who began his official visit to Perak this morning, also said the project represents a historic achievement as it is being built entirely from scratch by local talent through their skills, capabilities and expertise. "I have strong confidence that with the firm commitment of the RMN and the shipbuilder, Lumut Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (Lunas), the project can be completed successfully, placing the sovereignty of our national waters at an excellent and exemplary level," he said on Facebook. Earlier, Anwar attended a project briefing session before visiting the LCS1, which is currently undergoing testing. Present during Anwar's visit were Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar. Also present were Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Navy Chief Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain. In a statement issued in conjunction with Anwar's visit, the Defence Ministry said the second ship, LCS 2, was successfully downslipped (lowered into the water) on May 8 and is now undergoing subsequent construction work. It is expected to begin the Setting to Work (STW) phase in September this year. The ministry said the first ship, LCS 1, was downslipped as scheduled on May 23, last year and began its STW phase in May this year, where the vessel is scheduled for its first sea sailing in December. It added that as of May 25, the overall progress for all five LCS vessels stood at 72.43 per cent. The ministry also assured that strict monitoring is being carried out in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. It said that the construction of LCS 3 to LCS 5 remains on schedule, with LCS 3 expected to be delivered in 2027, followed by the remaining ships at eight-month intervals, with the final vessel, LCS 5, slated for completion in 2029.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
PM reviews LCS progress at Lumut shipyard as construction reaches 72.4%
LUMUT: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited the Lumut Naval Shipyard (Lunas) at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base here on Sunday (June 15) to review the progress of the littoral combat ship (LCS) construction. He was accompanied by Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar. Anwar was also briefed on the progress of the construction of five LCS units. ALSO READ: LCS construction on schedule despite delays, says minister In a statement, the Defence Ministry said overall progress on the construction had reached 72.43% as of May 25. It said that close coordination with key stakeholders, including the Finance Ministry, Economy Ministry, the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department, and the Attorney General's Chambers, is ongoing to enable proactive intervention by Lunas and ensure the smooth implementation of the project. The ministry also said that LCS1 was successfully launched onto the water on May 23, in line with the contractual schedule. ALSO READ: First LCS handover in 2026 "LCS1 has now entered the setting to work (STW) phase as of May and is scheduled to undergo its first sea (trials) in December. "LCS2 was launched earlier on May 8 and is undergoing continued construction, with STW activities planned to begin in September,' it said. It also added that the construction of LCS3 to LCS5 is on schedule, with LCS3 expected to be delivered to the RMN in 2027. The remaining two ships will be handed over at eight-month intervals, with final delivery of LCS5 expected in 2029. – Bernama
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar inspects LCS construction progress during visit to Lumut Naval Shipyard
LUMUT: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today inspected progress on the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) construction project at Lumut Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (Lunas), located within the RMN base here. Anwar's visit included a detailed briefing on the latest developments concerning the construction of five LCS vessels. He was received by Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar. Also present were Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and Navy Chief Tan Sri (Dr) Zulhelmy Ithnain. Anwar arrived at the Lunas shipyard at around 10.26am and spent about 15 minutes inspecting the progress of the first ship, LCS 1. Meanwhile, in a statement issued in conjunction with Anwar's visit, the Defence Ministry said the second ship, LCS 2, was successfully downslipped (lowered into the water) on May 8 and is now undergoing subsequent construction work. It is expected to begin the Setting to Work (STW) phase in September this year. It said that the first ship, LCS 1, was downslipped as scheduled on May 23, 2024, and began its STW phase in May 2025 where the vessel is scheduled for its first sea sailing in December 2025. The statement also said that as of May 25, the overall progress for all five LCS vessels stood at 72.43 per cent. The ministry assured that strict monitoring is being carried out in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. It said that the construction of LCS 3 to LCS 5 remains on schedule, with LCS 3 expected to be delivered in 2027, followed by the remaining ships at eight-month intervals, with the final vessel, LCS 5, slated for completion in 2029. "Close monitoring by the ministry, together with stakeholders including the Finance Ministry, Economy Ministry, Prime Minister's Department Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) and the Attorney-General's Chambers, will continue. "This is to ensure proactive intervention measures can be taken by Lunas, thereby ensuring smooth project implementation," it said. In March, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the RM11 billion LCS project had experienced a delay of 1.68 per cent, reaching 71.62 per cent completion versus the scheduled 73 per cent for all five vessels. Khaled said the government was very satisfied with the progress, noting that the minor delay was due to issues involving equipment from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
