Johor Sultan has advised the special forces regiment to be on guard against shady deals in equipment procurement.

Johor Sultan warns he will act against iffy military procurement

Friday, 02 Aug 20191:01 PM MYT

By By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH


MERSING: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar (pic) has advised the special forces regiment to be on guard against shady deals in equipment procurement.

His Majesty, who is the Colonel Commandant of the Special Forces Regiment, said he would not hesitate to speak out if there were irregularities in the running of the force.


"I am not interested in just being a figurehead.

"I want to protect the good name of the regiment and will intervene, especially if I see obvious and blatant irregularities," he said.


His Majesty, speaking at the regiment's 54th anniversary parade at Camp Iskandar in Mersing on Friday (Aug 2), said he was particularly annoyed at the lack of control and scrutiny in equipment procurement for the force.

"Many retired generals, hired as middlemen by companies, have been submitting ridiculous prices for supply of military equipment.

"You are under no obligation to accept their quotations. It must be carefully checked and scrutinised," he stressed.

His Majesty cited the case of a company charging RM5mil for the supply of rigid riding craft, which he described as exorbitant and unacceptable.

"When I discovered this, I immediately intervened and sourced for a better-quality boat at a cheaper price, thereby making a saving for the government," he added.

Sultan Ibrahim said although certain parties were unhappy with his intervention, he had a responsibility to get involved to stop unscrupulous agents from making millions of ringgit in commissions from the sale of unsuitable and pricey military goods to the regiment.

Also present at the parade was Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim.

On a separate matter, His Majesty thanked the Federal Government for its RM180mil budget allocation for the procurement of several new equipment for the regiment.


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/08/02/johor-sultan-warns-he-will-act-against-iffy-military-procurement#AekX32Sh5WeGXedO.99