RM50 million to maintain 2 submarines per year

We were shocked about the payment of RM500 million as a good will money to a specially created company for the purpose. Since then the man in charge had appeared to leave Malaysia and spend the money in some other country. Al least that was what appear in the news, but we are not in position of the truth.

At Dewan Rakyat the people are being told that it cost rm50million to maintain the 2 submarines. It am sure if the Malaysian are able to think, there are better use of the money. If only they are willing to invest on research and development, they would be able to build up a local technology. Developed countries, like Singapore knows what technology are critical and spend on developing it.

However , this will no produce the easy money, one will not get the rm500 million commission, but if we think of the benefits for the nation, this is the way to go forward.

We do not know if the 50mil spent annually is solely for maintenance. We hope that there is no commission paid to project partners that do not add value.

Read more from the star:

RM50mil spent on subs yearly

Mar 31, 2011 ... ABOUT RM50mil is needed each year to ensure the navy's two submarines are fully operational for the country's defence needs, Deputy Defence ...

thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/3/31/parliament/8382716&sec=parliament

Quoted:

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Thursday March 31, 2011

RM50mil spent on subs yearly

> Reports By MARTIN CARVALHO and YUEN MEIKENG

ABOUT RM50mil is needed each year to ensure the navy’s two submarines are fully operational for the country’s defence needs, Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said.

He said the maintenance cost for each Scorpene submarine over a six-year period was about RM25mil each year.

The maintenance cost, he said, did not include the supply of spare parts or initial equipment needed for the operations of the submarines.

“However, under the contract, it is guaranteed that the assets (submarines) can be used at any given time to meet the needs of the navy; failing which a penalty can be imposed on the company,” Dr Abdul Latiff said when replying to a question raised by Tian Chua (PKR–Batu).

He stressed that proper maintenance of the submarines – KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Razak – was crucial to ensure that they were able to operate under extreme conditions, while maintaining the safety of its crew.

“Each submarine has two million parts and is equivalent to 14 Boeing 747s.

“That is the reason why safety audits are carried out on them,” he said.

To a question by Ibrahim Ali (Ind–Pasir Mas), he said both submarines were currently fully operational.

He said the ministry was also looking at organising a tour of the submarines at ports in the country to promote them to the public."