PETALING JAYA: The story below from Bernama is self-explainatory. In short, the Defence Minister is saying that the Weststar Group had been given the contract for new 4X4 vehicles for the Armed Forces. But the good minister however failed to mention, the most important thing of course, how much and the reason Weststar was chosen?
And is the vehicle below, the Weststar GSC 3/4 ton, is the vehicle the Defence Minister is talking about?
From Weststar website
New 4×4 Coming Into The Market
Weststar GSC 3/4 ton provides arm forces with vehicles that are designed to meet a wide range of security and defence roles. The vehicle is purpose built.The GSC is available in hard or soft top,flexible enough for transportation of personnel,cargo and general utility.
The vehicle is powered by a robust and powerful 3.0 litre TDI diesel engine. The power train is common with that fitted to most commercial vehicles in the market,giving high commonality of parts and simpler maintenance and logistic support. Excellent value for money in all aspects of operations make them the rational choice for cost effectiveness.
From Bernama
MALAYSIA TO REPLACE ALL ITS MILITARY 4WDs
BANGKOK, March 5 (Bernama) – Malaysia will replace all its ageing military four-wheeled drives beginning next June, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
He said Malaysia would procure the vehicles from Thailand, produced by a
Malaysian company, Weststar Group, based in Pattaya.
“The existing 4×4 used by the three services are obsolete and no longer
cost-effective to maintain,” he told Malaysian media after meeting with his Thai
counterpart Sukumpol Suwanatat, here.
Both leaders were attending the Defense and Security 2012, a tri-service
Asian Defense and Internal Security Event for Land, Sea and Air, at the IMPACT
Exhibition and Convention Centre, here.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said the priority of the new 4WD programme would be the usage of Malaysian components including for its spare parts.
However, he refused to provide details on the number of vehicles to be
replaced and its cost.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said Weststar had also supplied the vehicles for military use
in the United States, some NATO members, Singapore and Thailand.
Weststar Group with its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur is led by Group
Managing Director Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim and its core businesses
include defence, engineering, aviation services, automobile and construction.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said Weststar had also supplied specialised vehicles such as
ambulances to the Malaysian government.
More than 200 defence and internal security equipment manufacturers from 35
countries participated in the four-day event starting today.
— BERNAMA
As Simon had said before…technicals….
— Malaysian Defence
If you like this post, buy me an espresso. Paypal Payment
View Comments (51)
My jaw just dropped to the floor and its not because I'm impressed with this vehicle. No wonder the dear Minister of Defence issued a statement about NOT politicising defence procurement. But how can you not to? It's so easy and ripe for the taking.
Another boondoggle certain to line the pockets of the well-connected. Malaysia had better get serious about defence or it risks becoming a laughingstock. If we can't procure the necessary equipment, support and train, while at the same time conducting operations, then we might just as well disband the ATM!
Reply
Other people might think otherwise
When the esteemed Defence Minister says that all aging 4x4s will be replaced, I assume he means the Land Rovers delivered in the early to mid-1980's and possibly the Pajeros? The G-Wagons, Duros and other Land Rovers are considered new. Have trials even been conducted on this new vehicle?
Reply
From the picture I believed trials were conducted. Whether or not it involved comparative testing is another issue
Agreed with cengeh...are our Defenders can't bear the soldiering anymore?
Reply
Not the new ones, maybe those which had been in service since the 80s, which I have not seen in the Klang Valley any way.
This 4x4 are fulfill the need of MAF , 1st indeed its design suitable for our geography landscape , and also it cheaper than others..great 4x4!!
Sharul,
''Cheap and cheerful'' unfortunatly doesn't always equate with being good. And unfortunatly, when we buy gear, common sense and logic doesn't always play a determining factor.
If the Minister is serious about developing the local defence industry, why procure vehicles manufactured in Thailand? He should ask Weststar Group to relocate their plant from Pattaya to Bagan Datoh to create more job opportunities for the people in his constituency!
Reply
I believe Weststar bought the plant from the LDV group before it went bust. Whether or not they will move the production here is in the details, which is lacking in the original story
Why is it that we can not follow standard procurement practices? I know I am being simplistic here but... Step 1 - assess the needs and requirements. Step 2 - issue an RfI to all relevant industry OEMs. Step 3 - issue an RfP to all manufacturers that, based on the RfI and the needs and requirements, we would like to bid. Step 4 - analyze the proposals and conduct field trials and so on. Step 5 - shortlist the manufacturers and start pricing, support, etc. negotiations. Step 6 - award the contract after analyzing all relevant information.
Instead what we have is another closed door deal. That is what I mean by 'another boondoggle'. It seems that the only way to get anything done is to be well-connected and have a 'Tan Sri' or at least a 'Dato' in front of one's name. My last question is: would the 4x4 win a free and fair competition? Unfortunately we will never know. The goal should always be to procure the best equipment at the best cost.
Lagi satu bad idea. Bila Weststar bengkrap, where are we going to get parts. I guarantee you the harga is not less than the Hilux.
read in the news today,army artillery division acquired additional astross II will be base in east malaysia.contract to be sign during dsa 2012.looks like our artillery general favor more in rockets rather than SPH.