SHAH ALAM: All is Well. In a recent media interview, the MMEA DG stated that it will received its first OPV later this year. What was not said however that the project was delayed as the government (previous one) had delayed the progress payment for the three ships built by the THHE-Destini JV.
Destini revealed the delay in its 2019 annual report made public last week. From the annual report:
A CGI of the first of class MMEA OPV to be named KM Kota Bharu.
Destini’s marine manufacturing business is divided into the manufacturing of para-military vessels and lifeboats. Lower revenue for this business segment under para-military vessels was due to the completion of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (“MMEA”)New Generation Patrol Craft hence there were no more contributions from the fabrication of this vessels.• Meanwhile, the Group saw a slower progress in building the MMEA’s Offshore Patrol Vessel due to delays in payment disbursement by the Government as planned. Budget constrains from MMEA is also reflected on our lower margins for ship repair services for its vessels.
It must be noted that the last two NGPC – KM Tok Bali and KM Kinabalu – will be officially handed over to MMEA tomorrow at Destine Marine Shipyard facility in Port Klang. The delay in handing over of the two ships were due bureaucratic red tape during the last 24 months as the previous government transferred the MMEA to the Home Ministry from the Prime Minister’s Department. The ships had been ready for delivery for at least 18 months already.
NGPC at Destination Marine jetty at Port Klang on July 31, 2017. Left is 4542, KM Bagan Datuk and partly hidden is 4543.
As for the OPV, it is already mentioned above. Destini also revealed what happened with the MD530G contract.
MD530G test aircraft. Destini is now the main contractor for the helicopters.
The Group’s defence aviation business which is highly dependent on Government contracts saw a decline in revenue due to slower progress in its projects and delays in the decision on project continuities a result of the transition of the Government. In addition, budgetary cutbacks also resulted in a reduction in billings from Government agencies.• The transition also saw the postponement in the execution and completion of the MD530G helicopter project which in turn translated to higher operational and administration expenses including additional interest expenses of RM14.88 million incurred by the Group.• In December 2019, the Malaysian Government gave its approval for the Group to continue executing the remaining contract obligations with the MD350G program. The helicopters are scheduled to be delivered in 2020.• The Government reduced its spending on the procurement of new assets within the defence sector. It however maintained its expenditure on the maintenance of its existing assets, which can be seen from the two MRO contracts that the Group secured during the year
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (9)
now with the hand in of the last NGPC, hope govt will give more budget for more of that ship ASAP
mr mcarhalim, the delay of payment by the govt for that OPV was due for what?is that involve the investigation of the MD350G or just govt audit the OPV project?
Reply
No idea, really
This is good news indeed.
Here's hoping for more ships to both maritime services.
Seems that Vietnamese fishermen must be really desperate to go all the way to Sabah looking for fish. Maybe due to Chinese exercises being conducted around the Paracel islands
https://www.mmea.gov.my/index.php/ms/terkini2/berita-utama/493-maritim-malaysia-berjaya-menahan-dua-buah-bot-nelayan-asing-vietnam
@ marhalim
Is the army still keen on inducting the MD530G into the PUTD? Any of the higher ups in the army thinks that my proposal to swap those MD530G for Aussie Blackhawks would be doable?
@ ASM
Sabah waters is nothing. Those Vietnamese "blue boats" have been caught fishing illegally as far as Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
http://www.pacificislandtimes.com/single-post/2017/01/06/The-blue-threat-Vietnamese-poachers-are-rocking-the-boat-in-the-Pacific?_amp_
http://www.looppng.com/global-news/vietnamese-blue-boat-captains-fined-us14-million-63033
Any news up-date on the status of the LMS deliveries and completions.
What was told to me was that the contract required the Government to pay within a certain period of time and the Government did not, due to various reasons beyond the control of THHE Destini. This significantly impacted the project cash flow as the delay occurred on multiple milestones, resulting in the inability to pay vendors etc. timely.
Reply
It sounds like to me that the previous government was willing to let the projects to collapse on its own
" It sounds like to me that the previous government was willing to let the projects to collapse on its own"
This is a bit too much really. These ships are sorely needed by the services, he shouldn't go to that extent just because he's unhappy with Najib
From what I gather, it was mainly administrative issues. First with the change of government, then the dissolution of Bahagian Hal Ehwal of APMM, the party previously managing the contract, then the change in ministry. Each impacted the composition of the steering committee, especially the chairmanship of the said committee, responsible to approve payments. My sources confirm that the cumulative delay due to this was approx. 12 months.
@ api69
thank you very much on the insider infos!
@...
That was what I was informed. Take it with a pich of salt..heh heh