From Kua Kia Soong
Malaysia is not merely buying ships late. We are buying fewer ships for more money – and may receive the first one before it is actually capable of fighting. That is the extraordinary reality exposed by the latest auditor-general’s report.
The littoral combat ship (LCS) project is now 7.55% behind schedule, with the first vessel, LCS 1, itself 13.88% behind schedule. Its physical handover, already postponed from August to December 2026, may now be pushed to April 2027.
But that is not the worst of it. The government may eventually receive LCS 1 without the full combat capability that makes it a warship in the first place. So, what exactly are we celebrating when the ship is "handed over"? Six became five – and RM9.13 billion became RM11.23 billion.
