> Kit Siang: Reconvene Eurocopter Inquiry

DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang is calling onPublic Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Tan Sri Azmi Khalid to reconvene its meetings on the Eurocopter helicopter procurement investigation if its report does not answer key questions about the controversial deal.

His call comes a day after creating a mini commotion in the Dewan Rakyat by repeatedly criticising Azmi for failing to present the PAC findings after a week.

Azmi reassured Lim and the House that the report was being prepared and would be ready in a few days. He also said that the entire report would be presented “verbatim” to enable MPs to debate its findings.

Today, Lim upped the pressure on Azmi. He demanded that Azmi ensure the PAC report is ready for tabling by next Monday.

Lim also claimed that the findings of the PAC to date were insufficient to form a comprehensive and conclusive report.

“What has the PAC done to ensure that it is not totally dependent on the one-sided submissions of the Defence Ministry and RMAF?” queried the Ipoh Timur MP.

He noted that the report, when it finally makes its way to the House must address five key points: the proprietory, accountability and professionalism in the decision-making process; why Malaysia is paying double Brazil’s price for the same helicopter model; whether the current fleet of Nuri helicopters are “flying coffins” and, as such, need to be replaced; whether a “middleman” was involved in brokering the Eurocopter deal; and if PAC had secured a guarantee from the Defence Ministry to hold a new, open tender for when it decides to purchase the helicopters.

“If the PAC inquiry had not been as comprehensive and wide-ranging as it should be to enable the production of a satisfactory report, Azmi should reconvene PAC meetings to get answers to many questions which MPs and Malaysians expect to find in the PAC finding on the Eurocopter deal,” said Lim - The Malaysian Insider.