Leasing helicopters more transparent, avoids maintenance costs, says PM

The Star

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Nov 28) that the leasing of helicopters is a more transparent process and avoids the financial burden of maintenance costs.  Read more at https://shorturl.at/blgKv  WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

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00:00But I agree with the Red Army that, at that time, it was only linked to the Malaysian Army.

00:08But in the latest development, I did this.

00:13One, we want the rounds to be smooth, involving government to government,

00:21and not through any agents.

00:25Rather than each of them using an agent or a broker,

00:31we should gather all of them so that the cost is more manageable.

00:34So this is the first thing.

00:36In fact, the Italian Prime Minister in Rio de Janeiro said that

00:44the Italian government, which has more than 30% shares in Leonardo,

00:50will provide guarantees so that the government will provide all the cooperation.

00:55Because in this form of leasing,

00:59it will avoid our burden in terms of maintenance,

01:07which is a big problem right now.

01:10One billion ringgit a year for the need for maintenance materials,

01:15and the damage will happen again.

01:18That's why I agree to continue the previous leasing decision,

01:23but we will expand it.

01:25But it is not a direct negotiation,

01:30because we made a request for proposal.

01:33And the RFP, under the cooperation of the private sector,

01:37which is then supervised by the agency,

01:41asks all companies that are involved,

01:44the four main ones,

01:45who can meet the requirements,

01:47and those who are only able to afford it,

01:50those who have AA Operating Certificate,

01:54those who have AOC,

01:56four of those four,

01:58then WESTA Aviation Services will be selected,

02:02which will present the offer through this RFP.

02:07Currently, WESTA already has 28 helicopters with Leonardo,

02:13from the previous contract,

02:15and tens of contracts with Saudi,

02:20using the existing experience.

02:24This is the reason why we continue,

02:28but our condition is to gather all the needs in the country,

02:36and prepare Malaysia as a hub.

02:43It is currently in Italy,

02:46in Miami,

02:47and the third is in Malaysia.

02:49Maybe it will be chosen in Melaka,

02:51because it is close to Batu Berendam airport,

02:54which we agreed to be a training center for Leonardo helicopters.

03:05The company that was chosen is Yambo Mat.

03:10The company that was chosen is Yambo Mat,

03:16and even before that.

03:18And the specifications are correct.

03:19Yambo Mat's comment is correct.

03:21The specifications are determined by the bodies,

03:26or TLDM, TUDM, according to their needs.

03:30If you ask me,

03:32this is more straightforward.

03:36We do it G2G.

03:38No agents.

03:40Direct.

03:42Give the company what they want.

03:44And of course, we give the main company, the state company.

03:47I do not agree with the issue of buying weapons.

03:51We have announced this as much as we can.

03:56But what is the special feature of each helicopter,

04:00for TUDM or TLDM,

04:02I do not think it can be explained by the parliament.

04:06That's my opinion.

04:08If it is necessary, Yambo Mat,

04:12ask the Minister of Defense or the Minister of the Interior

04:15to re-examine what can be conveyed.

04:17But I do not think it is fair for the safety of the country

04:23to discuss in detail about the specifications,

04:27needs and strengths of our military equipment.

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