SHAH ALAM: I can see clearly now. The decision not to arm the nine Guardians 4X4 APC with a remote weapon station (RWS) for the Malbatt contingent in Lebanon has resulted in a loss of RM2.22 million in reimbursements from the United Nations.
The Auditor General in its 2018 report of government agencies stated that a UN inspection of the Guardians showed that without the RWS, the Guardians of Malbatt was not in line with the specifications of the vehicles agreed upon under an MOU with the participating nations.
The lack of the RWS – the Guardians are equipped with a manual cupola for a 7.62mm machine gun – was the reason that the UN did not reimbursed the RM2.2 million paid for the vehicles. The government paid RM45.10 million for the vehicles which include drivers training, spare parts and delivery charges. Upon inspection by UN in Lebanon, the Guardians passed two of three requirements as it was equipped with armour capable of defeating 7.62mm rounds and capacity for up to 10 soldiers.
However, as it was not equipped with the RWS, it reduced the reimbursements paid to the government by RM2.2 million, the report said. The Defence Ministry in its answer to the report stated that the reduction of the reimbursement was due to the lack of the RWS only, without explaining further.
I had reported previously that the experience in Lebanon showed that the local population were wary of UN vehicles equipped with RWS as this means that these vehicles are equipped with cameras and recording systems. The locals felt that the cameras would be used to spy on them doing their daily business and the recordings could fall onto the wrong hands. So a decision was made for the Malbatt not to equipped the Guardians without RWS to appease the locals.
The report also noted that the Guardians were purchased as part of the RM897 million Starstreak SHORAD system deal signed with Weststar in 2015 (note the report did not name Weststar). The other deals under the Starstreak contract include the buy-back of the retired Starburst short range missile system (RM60 million) and 107 Maxus vans worth RM14.05 million. The government did not pay any money for these three deals.
The same audit report stated that even though the Starstreak deliveries were late, the Defence Ministry had failed to get liquidated damages (LAD) amounting to RM15.04 million from Weststar as off June, 2020. The delay in deliveries of the Starstreak LMS NG, according to the report was due to compliance with the United States International Traffic Arms Regulation (US ITAR). The report also stated that the 24 LML NG launcher were supposed to be supplied under the contract.
The ministry in its response stated that its Legal Division was in the process of preparing the documents to issue the LAD to the supplier.
And as if the bad stories surrounding the LCS project is not enough, the report adds more fuel to the controversy. It said the Defence Ministry had failed to issue LAD amounting to RM116.4 million to Boustead Naval Shipyard due to the late delivery of LCS1, some 245 days from its scheduled delivery date in April, 2019.
Moreover it said the ministry had paid BNS extra in progress payments by more than 21.1 percent.
It stated that as of 31 December, 2019, the progress payment made for LCS1 was RM910 million or 63.8 per cent even the actual progress of work was at that point was 42.7 per cent.
Interestingly the report stated that the total cost for LCS1 was pegged at RM1.427 billion. The ministry in its response that its legal division was preparing to issue the LAD and its also waiting for the Cabinet to decide on the direction of the project. As for the extra progress payments made, it stated that it was based on the contract’s schedule and after confirmation from the RMN LCS project team based at the shipyard.
For further details on the report go here.
— Malaysian Defence
If you like this post, buy me an espresso. Paypal Payment
View Comments (33)
OVERVIEW
LYRICS
OTHER RECORDINGS
LISTEN
PEOPLE ALSO SEARCH FOR
Lyrics
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
Oh, yes I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
Look all around, there's nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
Bright (bright) bright (bright)
Bright sunshiny day
It's going to be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
From bad to worse i guess..we really not learning from our past mistakes..its all about 'poket masing masing' now..cant we be like indonesians at least..not perfect but not as fu**ed up like us here..
These delays are due to the previous Mindef ? The current just took over during the MCO time (approx) so IMO it's unlikely to be his call....
Reply
It seems most of it were during the previous government but carried on during the current
Its a sad state for our armed forces.
The issue of the RWS should have been brought up earlier with the UN.
Never again grant Boustead any further contracts
Reply
I was told the decision came from the ministry
"reduced the reimbursements paid to the government by RM2.2 million"
Understandable. So they didn't pay us back for something we didn't equipped. Sounds fair enough. We made a tactical decision and at least the entire vehicle was paid for bar the RWS which we didn't get. After 70 years of peacekeeping, the UN still don't seem to get what it takes to do a proper peacekeeping role. If they could, they would want all to be hulked inside Namer heavy IFV protected by Trophy & RCWS and the only contact with locals are via video cameras and loudspeakers as the IDF does it. Outstanding job of making friends with the locals, eh.
"failed to get liquidated damages (LAD) from Weststar" "compliance with US ITAR"
Again this does sound like a reasonable answer not to issue them LAD as it doesn't look to be Weststar's fault it got delayed.
The BNS one, however.....
my opinion
The RWS issue was a right call. Our forces are in tune to the wishes of the locals that we are protecting. All these hearts and minds decisions are the lessons we passed down from our experience of emergency and communist insurgency. Which is something that even the UN does not understand it seems.
On the starstreak. Do we only have 24 LML-NG? This is probably in addition to our existing LML from our starburst stocks and the 6 rapid ranger systems? I also feel we should not punish a contractor due to ITAR, as that is beyond the control of the contractor. I don't think auditors can even comprehend the power of USA and its ITAR regulations.
"The locals felt that the cameras would be used to spy on them doing their daily business.."
Isn't that supposed to be the role of peace keepers monitoring the local population? Cameras can gave soldiers more info than just mk1 eyes such as infrared imaging and optical/digital zooming capabilities and is safer for the operator. Its not like the soldiers wouldn't communicate them face to face anymore.
"And the recordings could fall onto the wrong hands."
Well this is understandable but what about the radio traffic and other wireless transmission comm? Info passed there can also fall into wrong hands also right? Seems like this is more of a decision made by a civilian (politicians) rather than a military personnel sighh.
I have buffoons as generals
The auditor never knew about the 8+ gun firing port on the IAG Guardian? They seems to only learn about the lack on rcws or enclosed turret then made a quick incoherent judgement that personnel have to get out to fire back..
btw
Delays of a few months due to ITAR approval is nothing. Even a major allied country like Canada was delayed by ITAR for 2 years for its Cyclone helicopter project!
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-forces-looks-for-equipment-free-of-u-s-controls