PUTRAJAYA: Former defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein today urged Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) not to be selective in its investigations into the land swap deals involving the Defence Ministry.
Bernama reported today that Hishammuddin, who was questioned by MACC officers for seven hours - from 11am to 6pm - at its headquarters, here, said previous defence ministers should also be called up in order to uncover the truth behind the deals.
"If you want to talk about land swaps, make sure you talk about the 16 land swaps. If you want to talk about procedures, let us see what are the procedures used in previous leaderships either by the past prime ministers or defence ministers.
"Those involving Paloh (army camp in Johor), I have answered them in details today... but don't stop there because it involved 16 land swaps. Let’s see who are the culprits, who have done wrong because we want know the truth.
"I have nothing to hide," he said, adding that he has given his full cooperation on the matter and was satisfied with the professionalism shown by MACC personnel.
Hishammuddin said he hoped the investigations would be conducted without bias with the aim of seeking truth and justice.
‘’If there is anything, I will not hesitate to help because we want to find out the truth. Let's get to the bottom of this," he said.
Asked on how many of the 16 land swaps occured during his tenure, Hishammuddin said: "Well...I have been called in for one, namely, Paloh.
"The rest, they have to call up, whether other ministers (who were allegedly) involved... and make sure they call them also. What is so special about mine?"
"Who are the ones (who had) suffered losses, who are the contractors that got the land swap contracts, who actually benefitted from them.
"I have said categorically before, I have not benefitted one sen from any of the land swaps," he said.
Hishammuddin pointed out that the land swap done during his tenure was to take care of the soldiers and their families.
"Where are you going to find money to build their camps? If they were clever at talking, at accusing, they should have come up with suggestion on how to safeguard the welfare of soldiers and their families.’’ he said.
The Defence Ministry revealed in February that the government had lost over RM500 million in land swap deals involving land belonging to the ministry which was believed to have taken place since 1997.
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu reportedly said that the matter came up during an investigation by Special Investigation Committee on Procurement, Governance and Finance, headed by Tan Sri Ambrin Buang on Jan 28.
All losses and leakages were reported to be over 16 land swap projects comprising 1,183 ha of land belonging to the ministry worth RM4.7 billion and project cost of RM4.8 billion.
Asked if he would called up again on the case, Hishammuddin said the matter would be up to the MACC to decide.
‘’I will give my cooperation. This will be my last Press conference (on the case) because I want them (MACC) to proceed with their work." he said.
On the purchase of six helicopters, worth over RM300 million in 2015, Hishammuddin said the matter was not raised in today's questioning.
"I have given my answer on the helicopters case and I have nothing to hide. What is wrong is wrong and if it involves my previous officers, I won’t obstruct (investigations)," he said.
On June 13, the Defence Ministry lodged a report with MACC to investigate the purchase of six helicopters, worth over RM300 million in 2015, which the Malaysian Armed Forces had not received until today.
According to media reports, the light combat MD530G helicopter manufactured by McDonnell Douglas was supposed to have been received in two phases, namely, two in July 2017 and the rest in December 2018.