Monday 10 September 2012

Difference in prices of Rapid Intervention Vehicles will be investigated: Zahid Hamidi

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 – The vast difference in prices of Rapid Intervention Vehicles (RIV) being supplied to the Special Forces Regiment as mentioned by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ismail in his address on Saturday, will be investigated.

Defence minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the ministry appreciated the comment and regarded it as an expression of concern by Sultan Ibrahim who is also Special Forces Regiment Colonel Commandant.

“The Defence Ministry takes note of the comment positively. I will look into the difference in prices between the RIV awarded by Sultan Ibrahim priced at RM150,000 compared with the RM690,000 sold by the supplier.

“I will scrutinize to see if there are differences in specifications,” he said on the address of the Sultan of Johor at the 47th anniversary of the Special Forces Regiment at Kem Iskandar Mersing, Johor on Saturday.

Ahmad Zahid was met by reporters after receiving a visit from the deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of China, General Ma Xiaotian at the Defence Ministry today.

Sultan Ibrahim on Saturday expressed unhappiness because the military equipment supplied to the Special Forces Regiment was not only inadequate but were also of low quality and not in compliance with specifications.

He said in efforts taken by the government to control the budget, the Defence Ministry must scrutinise the purchase to ensure the equipment are in accordance with the need and of high quality.

Sultan Ibrahim also reminded those concerned to not take advantage of the situation when supplying army equipment.

“Don’t provide supplies which are of low quality but quote prices many times over (the actual prices),” he said. – Bernama

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