M'sia govt under fire

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Dec 23, 2009

STOLEN JET ENGINES
M'sia govt under fire

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Malaysia's opposition claims that an illegal commission of RM540 million (S$221.7 million) was paid to a close associate of Mr Najib to help broker the purchase of two French-made submarines. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

KUALA LUMPUR - THE Malaysian government faced a storm of criticism on Wednesday over allegations of official corruption after the theft of two US-made fighter jet engines worth US$29 million. News reports this week said the stolen Northrop F-5E jet engines had been sold on the black market by military officers to a South American company. They had been taken from a military airbase, apparently last year. Armed forces chief Azizan Ariffin said the theft was only the 'tip of the iceberg' after a newly completed audit revealed equipment worth millions was also missing, the New Straits Times reported on Tuesday. Police have reportedly arrested four individuals, including the buyer of the engines, the seller and air force personnel who assisted in the theft. Besides the engines, military equipment including parts of the jet fighter were stolen.

'The government should declare it has failed in the fight against corruption. The country is heading in the direction of a failed state like Zimbabwe,' prominent opposition lawmaker Tian Chua told AFP. 'The theft could not have happened without the sanction of top officials.' Prime Minister Najib Razak has vowed a full and open investigation. But Mr Tian said that under Mr Najib's leadership, national wealth was being plundered and that 'defence expenditure is used for kickbacks to government cronies'. Malaysia's opposition claims that an illegal commission of RM540 million (S$221.7 million) was paid to a close associate of Mr Najib to help broker the purchase of two French-made submarines. The prime minister has denied there was any wrongdoing in the deal, which was signed in 2002 when he was defence minister. -- AFP


GRAFT 'DEEPLY ENTRENCHED'

MR KHALID Samad, a lawmaker with the opposition Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party, said the latest scandal showed it was 'business as usual' for Mr Najib.

'So many parties must be involved in getting the engines out of the country. It is scary,' he said.

Armed forces chief Azizan said those found guilty of stealing and selling the engines should be charged with treason.

The end buyer of the stolen kit was not immediately clear. A number of countries subject to US arms embargoes, including Iran, Sudan and Venezuela, have F-5 fighters that use the antiquated engines.

The jet first flew in 1963 and Northrop ended production in 1989. Critics are sceptical of promises made by Mr Najib to battle corruption after he came to power in April.

Mr Ramon Navaratnam, former president of Transparency International Malaysia, told AFP that graft was 'deeply entrenched'.

'We need a strong political will to wipe it out. The government must catch some big fish to send a signal that it will not tolerate graft. Otherwise we will be seen as pussy-footing,' he said.

Berlin-based watchdog Transparency International said last month that Malaysia had fallen to 56, from 47 last year, on a league table of 180 countries surveyed around the world and that graft had hit 'alarming' levels.

 

[shOUTloud]

Charge them with treason and hang them. Jet engines also dare to steal. Malaysia Boleh!

 

[TeeKee]

why they neber learn from Hakka Lee Regime?

to Lee-galized corruption?

when govt. corrupt, people suffers...

 

[johnny333]

why they neber learn from Hakka Lee Regime?

to Lee-galized corruption?

when govt. corrupt, people suffers...

How can you be certain that the Lee Regime is clean

The PAP are just more cunning in how they accept payment. For example, Spore MPs are already getting millions in salary. How many Malaysian politicians make that much?

 

[boundThunter]

How can you be certain that the Lee Regime is clean

The PAP are just more cunning in how they accept payment. For example, Spore MPs are already getting millions in salary. How many Malaysian politicians (Govt. Only) make that much?

They made a lot under tables aka corruptions. If the Malaysian Govt made me a minister, instead of getting paid, I will pay them back a portion of my corrupt takings and that would be in the millions per month. No bullshits. That is why Singapore's system is superior to Malaysian's, though we might bemoan the fact that it is too high a pay for a minister when the ordinary folks go without many things just to get through.

In Malaysia, it is not how much you are paid but how much you can make in the ministries...e.g. Khir Toyo was Selangor's Mentri Besar for 8 years and he lives in a 24 millions ringgits mansion in Shah Alam and that is just one of his houses.

 

[johnny333]

No bullshits. That is why Singapore's system is superior to Malaysian's, though we might bemoan the fact that it is too high a pay for a minister when the ordinary folks go without many things just to get through. ...

However superior the PAP's system is, it's costing Sporeans billions. I think most Sporeans would close one eye to a few million but NOT the billions in losses, lost of livelihood of citizens to foreigners, inflation created by "corruption", lack of affordable healthcare,..... On a daily basis Sporeans are being squeezed to feed the PAP's greed. Some have been driven to live in JB

So how can the Spore's system be superior to Malaysia

 

[boundThunter]

So how can the Spore's system be superior to Malaysia

Malaysia is an apartheid state.

Well, for a start, there is still recourse for Singaporeans. the check and balance is still in place and there is none in Malaysia. The PM of Singapore doesn't sacks his DPM and throw him in jail and instructs his head of police to beat him half dead. At least, most of the government servants here are non-partisan, unlike in Malaysia, where 95% or more of her officials are beholden to the ruling parties and will happily do their biddings.

Sad about the losses but in this economic climate and prior to that, almost everybody took a bloody bath. A gamble is a gamble.

I will still say, Singapore, with her limited resources and space have coped very well and stood head over shoulder with her neighbours.

Though you might not agree with my assumptions but the latest crazy news from across the causeway is the theft of two fighterjets engines worth 50 million ringgits. Could this happen in Singapore ?

I must admit that lives in Malaysia, though poorer, are more carefree and laissez faire than in Singapore, where pretty much everything are social-engineered and planned ahead but we must admit that those neighbours are not the best of neighbours since they wanted to thwart Singapore at every turns, et al.

Singapore is way superior than Malaysia in meritocracy and that is the main reason why the step children of Malaysia are making a bee line towards Singapore when those brainy ones (non Malays) are barred from reaping their just rewards in education through the Malays supremacy ideology.

Singapore is not a paradise but at least here everybody has equal chances of furthering and upgrading themselves without the NEP millstone tied around their necks whilst Malaysia practises state-sanctioned racism.

What I personally abhorred about the Singapore's government is the total bohchup attitute towards the poorer and disadvantage population. It could have been better, given the robust state of her treasury.

 

[kensington]

The fact that not one but two fighter aircraft engines could go missing from the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) inventory is not just a normal case of theft. It involves national security. And not only must heads roll, those involved must be tried for nothing less than treason.

The government's response and the manner in which the case has been handled so far have been appalling to say the least. We are now being told that the theft was discovered last May. And a police report was lodged only last August. So what was the Defence Ministry and RMAF doing in those three months? Were they looking under mattresses for the engines?

But yet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak claims there is no cover up. He was then Defence Minister in Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Cabinet. He should have recommended then for the theft to be announced to the public.

We are now told that a top general was sacked. Who is this man? If he is found to be liable for the theft he should perhaps face more severe action.

Najib has allowed the issue to be kept under wraps for more than a year. In the eyes of the public that sounds like a cover up. The fact that a police report was lodged does not mean there was no cover up.

According to Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail, his office only received the investigations papers from the police last month. And now, he has sent the papers back to the police with further directives.

Meanwhile, the public has still not been given wider assurances that the country's defence inventory is in place.

Has any official from Mindef even bothered to issue a statement to say that Malaysia's inventory of defence equipment is safe and sound? Or are Malaysians to assume everything is fine? Just like the public assumed two fighter engines could not have been stolen.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/...ered-up-from-the-start--the-malaysian-insider

 

[kensington]

Hello Chief: Where Are The SKYHAWKS !!!

Hello Chief: Where are the skyhawks!
21/12/2009 by drrafick http://rights2write.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/hello-chief-where-are-the-skyhawks/

1. My conversation with a retired Air Force General about the missing F5E jet engine led to me to an interesting story. I was intrigue when he cajole told me that there is nothing to be shocked about a missing engine when an entire fleet of aircraft went missing from the TUDM inventory. Entire fleet of aircraft! What was he talking about? I thought he was kidding and making his usual jokes about aircraft missing from the radar screen but when he said that it was missing from the TUDM inventory that led me to place few more calls.

2. It appears that via a special G to G arrangement, the Malaysian government bought 80 A4 Skyhawks from the USAF in the 80’s. It was delivered to us at the beginning of 1984. These are working aircraft with plenty of mileage to go. Thirty five aircraft was brought back to Malaysia and was used in the service. A few dropped from the sky, one went missing over South China Sea (Lt. Wahi) and the rest was used until it could not be used again. Some became spare parts. The balance (45 jets) was left in the California dessert parked under the scorching sun. It was never brought back.

3. The 45 aircraft that was left in the Californian dessert was never brought back. It was place under the management of a company in the US. This company ends paying the parking chargers for years. Sometime between the years 2000 to 2003, RMAF decided to take back the aircraft and sell them off. Our TUDM officers from KL were sent to look for the aircraft in the dessert. They found it but the shocking part is that they no longer legally own the aircrafts.

4. As it turns out, the paperwork involving the purchase went missing and the Air Force were not able to show proof of ownership. Therefore they could not take out the Skyhawks from the open air parking area. The haggling and tussle over the ownership continued for several years until it became clear that the aircraft ownership cannot be ascertained. The Malaysian government paid for it but did not kept the receipt.

5. I remember the matter was raised in parliament several years back and unverified reports indicates that the aircraft was sold to an American company for pittance. Maybe our MP’s should revisit this matter again. My friend was right when he said entire fleet of 45 aircraft disappeared from TUDM Inventory. In actual fact it was not even recorded in the TUDM inventory. Since it did not go into our books despite paying for it and having no receipt to show proof of payment, then no aircraft actually went missing. The only thing missing is the money for the 55 aircraft!

6. Coming back to the missing RM50 mill engine which is fixed on a USD 2 mill aircraft, I am perplex to read in the papers today that a Brigadier General and his 40 man was asked to leave service early. (Sounds like Ali Baba and the 40 thieves).They was not charged. There was no court martial. It appears the General and several others lose their pension but upon appeals got it back. What the heck is wrong with the system? No one even realized that the General was asked to leave until the story came to limelight in today’s news. I am sure we all can predict on why the story was released to the MSM today. It wanted to show that the government did something.

7. I am not sure whether taking administrative action is sufficient in this case. We are talking about CBT. We are talking about a missing RM50 mill jet engine that was supposed to be fitted on a USD 2 mill aircraft. Knowing the Malaysian way of wanting to settle problems, it was managed quietly the wrong way. In the meantime, everyone had forgot about the 55 aircraft that Malaysian Government paid but not admitted into TUDM inventory. Maybe they went into the army or navy inventory. Who knows mixed up can happen.




More than 100+ comments in here
http://rights2write.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/hello-chief-where-are-the-skyhawks/


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[kensington]

In the case of the jet engines fiasco, it has been suggested that the “traitors” — in the words of the Armed Forces chief — be tried for treason. The last time that happened in Malaysia was in the 1990s when a group of religious fanatics calling themselves the Al-Ma'unah raided a military arsenal with the aim of bringing down the legally elected government. They were caught and charged with treason. They were found guilty and they were hanged.




BUSINESS TIMES SINGAPORE

It said something about the depth of corruption when a newspaper revealed that two F5-E jet engines from the Royal Malaysian Air Force had been stolen and sold to a foreign buyer.

Armed Forces chief Gen Azizan Ariffin said that those responsible for stealing should be charged with treason. “It is a serious offence that tarnishes the image of the Armed Forces,” Azizan told reporters. “There should not be any compromise on the punishment for their actions.”

To recapitulate, the thefts were discovered in May 2008 when Azizan, then the air force chief, ordered an audit of the force's assets. It was then ascertained that the two engines — collectively worth RM100 million — were missing. A police report was subsequently lodged in August last year.

In an inquiry and disciplinary hearing later, the New Straits Times reported, a brigadier-general and 40 others were sacked. The engines were believed to have been sold to an international company in South America, according to Defence Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

But the NST, citing intelligence sources, said that the engines were shipped to a Middle Eastern country that “was the subject of US sanctions”. The country was apparently keen on developing its own jet fighter. The paper also said that the people implicated in the inquiry could have also been involved in other logistics irregularities “amounting to several million ringgit”.

Clearly then, this goes beyond common garden-variety venality. The thefts and subsequent sale of the parts would have affected national security. And it has international implications. The United States, which sold the hardware to the RMAF, would surely want to know who the buyers were. Indeed, as Azizan pointed out, there is a good possibility that investigations will go international.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has promised that there would be no cover-up. That is the only way to go. The best method to deter corruption is swift and harsh punitive action. Indeed, one of Najib's stated aims is to bring Malaysia among the top 25 countries in the world corruption index. The country is currently running 56th. Those are lofty ambitions and it will take a great effort of political will to pull that off. But it can only be achieved if wrongdoers realise that crime does not pay.

In the case of the jet engines fiasco, it has been suggested that the “traitors” — in the words of the Armed Forces chief — be tried for treason. The last time that happened in Malaysia was in the 1990s when a group of religious fanatics calling themselves the Al-Ma'unah raided a military arsenal with the aim of bringing down the legally elected government. They were caught and charged with treason. They were found guilty and they were hanged.

The public will no doubt be watching to see how the government handles the current case.

http://www.malaysia-today.net/index...uths-&catid=19:newscommentaries&Itemid=100131


,

 

[johnny333]

Is there really a recourse for Sporeans

State owned & controlled media that only presents pro-PAP propaganda. PAP controlled courts & civil servants. Hints from our leader(s) that they will "fix" the opposition.

What you talking about non-partisan gov't servants
It is a known fact that if gov't employees vote non-PAP, they might loose their jobs.

Why would the PAP need to sack MPs when they are all the same gang? Multi-million $$$ salaries buys alot of loyalty among the type of "talents" LKY has selected.

So who took a bloody bath for the PAPs mistakes, obviously not the PAP
Can you name any minister who resigned? It was reported that Ho Ching had no regrets & still in the same position. The only thing I agree is that the PAP has "gambled" with tax payers money. Who gave them the right to "gamble" with tax payers money?

How do you know that Spore citizens are better off than our neighbours?
At least in the neighbouring countries, they don't have to worry about loosing jobs to foreigners, in their own countries

As for missing jet engines, what is 50 million ringgit compared to the billions of losses incurred by Temasek? You seem to forget that Spore a small island has bigger problems than its larger neighbour Malaysia. Why not focus on the billions that the PAP has lost, why even bother to bring up 50 million? Ho Ching lost much more in the Micopolis fiasco. Don't forget about the looses in Suzhou, Thailand, Australia,...

Malaysian politicians are obviously pro-Malaysia but how would you describe the PAP's pro-FT policies at the expense of Spore citizens? I would call it anti-Sporean & even the PAP must realise this. Why else are they delaying the elections?

If you still believe in Spore's meritocracy than tell me why LHL is PM? Why is his wife heading Temasek? Why is an 80+ old man still being paid millions?

If you make it easy & profitable for 3rd world foreigners to work in Spore of course they'll come. If it was as easy for Sporeans to work in Canada or Australia, many would leave Spore to do so.

It's funny that you mention Malaysias state sanctioned racism. How would you describe NS which is a handicap when competing with foreigners.

Malaysia is an apartheid state.

Well, for a start, there is still recourse for Singaporeans. the check and balance is still in place and there is none in Malaysia. The PM of Singapore doesn't sacks his DPM and throw him in jail and instructs his head of police to beat him half dead. At least, most of the government servants here are non-partisan, unlike in Malaysia, where 95% or more of her officials are beholden to the ruling parties and will happily do their biddings.

Sad about the losses but in this economic climate and prior to that, almost everybody took a bloody bath. A gamble is a gamble.

I will still say, Singapore, with her limited resources and space have coped very well and stood head over shoulder with her neighbours.

Though you might not agree with my assumptions but the latest crazy news from across the causeway is the theft of two fighterjets engines worth 50 million ringgits. Could this happen in Singapore ?

I must admit that lives in Malaysia, though poorer, are more carefree and laissez faire than in Singapore, where pretty much everything are social-engineered and planned ahead but we must admit that those neighbours are not the best of neighbours since they wanted to thwart Singapore at every turns, et al.

Singapore is way superior than Malaysia in meritocracy and that is the main reason why the step children of Malaysia are making a bee line towards Singapore when those brainy ones (non Malays) are barred from reaping their just rewards in education through the Malays supremacy ideology.

Singapore is not a paradise but at least here everybody has equal chances of furthering and upgrading themselves without the NEP millstone tied around their necks whilst Malaysia practises state-sanctioned racism.

What I personally abhorred about the Singapore's government is the total bohchup attitute towards the poorer and disadvantage population. It could have been better, given the robust state of her treasury.

 

[Polygamist]

Relax lah! KL Govt only sold 2 engines but Singapore Govt gave the entire country FOC to FTs! Which one should be under fire you tell me?

 

[shelltox]

How can you be certain that the Lee Regime is clean

The PAP are just more cunning in how they accept payment. For example, Spore MPs are already getting millions in salary. How many Malaysian politicians make that much?

The police who patroled the NS highway made that amount of money in a single day from obliging singapore drivers.

 

[halsey02]

Relax lah! KL Govt only sold 2 engines but Singapore Govt gave the entire country FOC to FTs! Which one should be under fire you tell me?

Plus giving THAM MA SEK, unlimited withdrawing limits to the hard earned monies of the people of SINgapore!, now changing their charter, to hide behind legal jargon; should be charged for TREASON.

What is two jet engines, a couple of submarines & maybe the entire armoury! These acts will maimed people physically, if the weapons were to be used, but loosing people's BLOOD money, maimed them for life; for they will be getting lesser of their amount of money & longer period when they retire or never get to see them at all; with ever changing rules.

Which is worst? Alibaba & the 41 thieves or 'white rats', slowing eating away the siloes of stored grain, meant for exigency...

 

[myo539]

"Though you might not agree with my assumptions but the latest crazy news from across the causeway is the theft of two fighterjets engines worth 50 million ringgits. Could this happen in Singapore ?"

The next time they will hijack the whole Petronas twin-towers. Just wondering - if they paid commission of 540 million ringgit, how much is each submarine cost?

How come Singapore bought a few submarines and there is not even a whispher in the newspaper or internet or wallstreet journal about payback or commission?

 

[kensington]

PKFZ Revisited

Famous last words : It is a reasonable amount of profits, hwahahha....

Al Jazeerah's 101 looks at Malaysia's corruptions.
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[Char_Azn]

Re: PKFZ Revisited

I'm always amazed at the creativity of some of yuou guys. U guys can transform any and everything to something that makes the PAP look bad. Keep it up :P

 

[halsey02]

"Though you might not agree with my assumptions but the latest crazy news from across the causeway is the theft of two fighterjets engines worth 50 million ringgits. Could this happen in Singapore ?"

The next time they will hijack the whole Petronas twin-towers. Just wondering - if they paid commission of 540 million ringgit, how much is each submarine cost?

How come Singapore bought a few submarines and there is not even a whispher in the newspaper or internet or wallstreet journal about payback or commission?

They paid with 'transparent money'....not necessary in currency notes, in kinds, paid to the 'sperm depositories' in People's Republic of China ( aka China Ah Mei's), brand new car, 56" LCD (plasma TV)...etc..mistresses??

these are 'transparent money'...how to audit?, especially the amount of sperms donated...ha ha ha ha

 

[kensington]

Theft of rmaf jet engines - public perception eroded

By Brigadier Muhammad Arshad Raji
A retired army officer who believes in justice for all and hates apple polisher.



The last few days, the new media is having a gala time reporting on the missing RMAF jet fighter engine, and instead of just one engine, now the number has increased to two. Just don't believe in that number as yet. It may be many more, because the bottom of the ice-berg can be 100 times larger than the tip. Isn't this the indication given by the Chief of Defence Force himself?

Now, I not going to blame anyone nor ask anyone to be jailed for the fiasco. But the many people that I met does not seem to be too happy at the way the government handles the issue, that is viewed as an act of treason by those involved in the theft of the engines. The punishment meted to those involved as reported, does not reflect the severity of the case. We are not taking about a motor car engine, but a jet fighter engine, and surely the original equipment manufacturer will be deeply concern as to which country gets possession the engine.

It was indicated in the main stream media of the likelihood that the engines had been shipped to a middle eastern country. My guess is a country under sanction by the US, and it was only upon the US having sensed that the engines could possibly be in the hands of a country under sanction, that our government decided to expose the theft. Hence, the two year long silence.

Another view as to why the government decided to keep the news under wraps at the time was because the country was nearing the 2008 General Elections, and exposing such an issues that impinge upon national security, would be disastrous for the ruling government. And to bring out the issue soon after the elections was not the right time either, because this will jeopardize the momentum that has been building up by pro Najib supporters, to ensure that Najib becomes the next Prime Minister, following BN's disastrous 2008 General Elections.

On hindsight, I believe that the government was wrong in keeping silence from public knowledge, this security related issue that has serious national and international repercussions. The government will now have to bear the brunt of public odium, and also possibly the loss of pubic confidence in the government's future handling of serious security related issues. Whatever reasons and justifications that the government has given now has little impact on building and reassuring public confidence, and this does not augur well for Najib's leadership.

Had the government acted promptly upon the theft being known in 2007, I believe public confidence would not have been badly eroded.


http://mindnoevil.blogspot.com/2009/12/theft-of-rmaf-jet-engines-public.html

 

[postnew]

Missing jet engines 'found'
Thu, Dec 24, 2009
The Star/Asia News Network

By LOURDES CHARLES

KUALA LUMPUR: The missing RM50mil jet engines have been 'found' - they are in Argentina.
It is learnt the General Electric J85-21A afterburner turbojet engines (the power plant for the single-seater F-5E Tiger 11 and RF-5E Tigereye) were shipped off from Port Klang to a third country before ending up in Argentina.
All documents on the sale and shipping of the parts are said to be originals.
It is believed that the engines are in the possession of an individual. A quick search over the Internet revealed that the Argentina military does not use the F-5E Tiger 11 and RF-5E Tigereye.

Several senior Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) officers, including generals, are expected to be quizzed by police in connection with the theft.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hasan said police would question the generals although four people, including three low-ranking RMAF personnel, had been arrested and released on bail for their alleged role in the theft.
'We need to question all of them as it is not easy to just cart away the engines without authorisation and proper documents. Our investigators have so far seized and recovered several documents pertaining to the sale and shipping of the engines,' he said.
Police have also seized and frozen the property of the local jet engine buyer, said to be worth millions of ringgit, as they believe the assets were bought from ill-gotten gains.
It is learnt that the properties - a double-storey bungalow, two luxury condominium units and cash in the bank - were seized under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
More people are expected to be quizzed and more assets seized as investigations continue.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the engines were discovered missing from the Sungai Besi RMAF airbase during routine maintenance service. Also missing were its maintenance and service records.
He said a brigadier-general and 40 other armed forces personnel had been sacked over the incident.
Meanwhile, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail has given an assurance that his Chambers would go 'all out' in this case.
'It is a serious matter. I need a full investigation,' he said in New Delhi.