Politics · Malaysia Bureau
LCS ship programme will proceed independently of inquiry, says defence minister
Malaysia's defence minister has stated that the Littoral Combat Ship project will continue on its own timeline, separate from any ongoing investigations. The shipbuilder has been instructed to accelerate construction work despite the parallel inquiry process.
LSN Malaysia ·
Defence Minister Khaled Nordin has clarified that the LCS programme's progression will not be held back by investigative proceedings, emphasising that shipbuilding activities and inquiry operations are distinct matters running parallel to each other.
According to Nordin, the contractor has received explicit instructions to step up the pace of work on the project, reflecting the government's commitment to advancing the local shipbuilding initiative.
The statement comes amid scrutiny of the Littoral Combat Ship programme, which forms a key component of Malaysia's naval modernisation efforts. The clarification is intended to assure stakeholders that construction timelines remain on track despite administrative and investigative processes occurring concurrently.
The LCS project, managed by Boustead Naval Shipyard, is designed to bolster Malaysia's maritime security capabilities. Officials have previously underscored the strategic importance of completing the vessels within planned schedules to strengthen the Royal Malaysian Navy's operational readiness.