Tuesday, February 8, 2011

When we say that Malaysia spends ten times more for government procurement compared to other countries, they respond by saying that only 40% of what Malaysia Today says can be believed. The other 60% are damn lies. Well, look at the lies below.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin


Govt allocates RM6 billion for 6 patrol vessels

(Bernama) - The Government has agreed to allocate RM6 billion to build six second-generation patrol vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (photograph above) said.

The construction of the ships will boost the economy while benefiting 632 vendor companies, he told reporters here yesterday after a briefing on the project.

“Thus, we will ensure that at least RM2 billion of the allocation will benefit these vendor companies, which are strategic partners of Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd,” he added.

Ahmad Zahid said that he would monitor the progress of the project, due to start next year, and ensure that all concerned benefit from it and that there was no delay in paying the vendors.

He said that Boustead Naval Shipyard had constructed several new generation vessels for the navy and shown itself to be on par with other ship builders in the world.

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East Timor paid US$28 million for the 175-tonne Shanghai class boats

East Timor is acquiring two navy patrol boats from South Korea (picture above) as the country moves further out of Australia's sphere of military influence.

The acquisition, which has not been publicly announced, comes after the country bought two 43-metre Chinese patrol boats, which strained relations between Australia and the government in Dili earlier this year.

East Timor's marine police unit is also moving to purchase nine smaller boats, adding to its fleet of three, the marine police commander, Lino Saldanha, told journalists in Dili.

When the Chinese patrol boats were launched in June, Ian Storey, a regional defence expert at the Institute of South-East Asian Studies in Singapore, said Dili wanted to ''demonstrate to Canberra that it has other choices when it comes to defence partners''.

East Timor paid US$28 million for the 1960s-designed, 175-tonne Shanghai class boats.

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The 154-foot Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter: Price US$41 million

The 154-foot Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter will be a key component of the Coast Guard’s recapitalised fleet. It will be capable of speeds in excess of 28 knots and feature a cutter boat stern ramp launch and recovery system. Its armament includes one stabilized, remotely-operated 25mm chain gun and four crew-served 0.50 caliber machine guns. It will have a crew capacity of 23 people and will be able to perform independently for a minimum of five days at sea and be underway for 2,500 hours per year.

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The Clyde River class patrol boats: Price £30 million or US$48 million

Specifications

Displacement: 1,854 tonnes full load

Length Overall: 81.5m (265 feet)

Length waterline: 73.6m

Beam: 13.6m (46 feet)

Draught - 3.8m (11.5 feet)

Speed: 19 knots full load (21kts sprint)

Endurance: 21-day endurance,

Range: 5,500 nm at 12 knots

Engineering: Main Engines 2 X 12V RK270 Rushton Marine Diesels Rated at 4125kw at 1000 RPM;

Bow Thruster: 280 kw; Stern Thruster: 185 kw; 3 Main Generators: 250 kw; 1 Emergency Generator: 170 kw

Guns: 1 x 30mm, 4 x GMPG

Sensors: Terma Scanter 4100 air and surface surveillance radar

Complement: 36 (6 officers, 9 SR, 21 JR), accommodation for 58

Aviation: Flight Deck Arrangements sufficient size to take for a Lynx, Sea King and Merlin Helicopters

See more details/specifications/photographs here: http://navy-matters.beedall.com/opvh.htm

Wow!!! RM1 billion each for an offshore patrol vessel? It's made of gold, perhaps?

What is this Zahid talking about? And, who are the 632 vendors?


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Tuesday February 8, 2011

RM6bil to purchase six ships too much, says Pua


PETALING JAYA: DAP national publicity chief Tony Pua (pic) has urged the Government to be more transparent in awarding contracts to ensure public money is not wasted on overpriced purchases.

He was commenting on the Defence Ministry’s allocation of RM6bil to purchase six offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy, to be built by Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd.

Pua questioned the amount for the six vessels, saying it was more than the cost of ships built by other international builders.

He listed naval vessels of the same class being used by several nations like New Zealand, Germany, Greece and Israel costing between RM103mil and RM791mil.

“The Defence Ministry’s price tag of RM1bil per vessel is between 26% and 870% above the cost of the various international-class vessels listed,” he said in a statement.

Pua added that the United States’ most advanced ship of a similar class cost below RM1bil, and asked if the six vessels to be purchased would be equipped with the same specifications as the US Navy’s.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the ships’ construction would boost the economy while benefiting 632 vendor companies.

He said Boustead Naval Shipyard had constructed several new-generation vessels for the navy and shown itself to be on par with other shipbuilders in the world.