KUALA LUMPUR: No one in the world discusses technical specifications and security requirements openly, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said he did not agree with the issue of debating the specifications and requirements for the purchase of helicopters for the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) by the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC).
"Whether it can be discussed openly, no one in the world discusses it openly, and I disagree if it concerns issues like arms procurement (discussed in committee).
"Can the specs of each helicopter be debated in Parliament? It can be (discussed) later if necessary, and we may ask the Defence Minister and the Home Minister to review what can be shared.
"However, it is not appropriate to discuss matters related to national security, such as scrutinising specifications, needs and the capabilities of our military equipment (in the committee)," he said in Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah) on whether the helicopters supplied to the military had undergone testing and met military specifications.
Ikmal suggested that the leasing proposal be brought to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee, which consists of both parties, for greater transparency.
The committee, Ikmal said, will ensure that the asset truly meets the required specifications and fulfils the needs of the end users.
Meanwhile, Anwar said that discussions on the type of helicopters required by each branch of the Armed Forces should be approached collectively, involving the army, navy, air force, and other agencies such as the police and fire departments.
"We will consolidate the needs of all organisations requiring helicopters, rather than negotiating through agents with separate tenders. This approach will streamline the process and better control costs.
"This is the first step. In fact, the Italian Prime Minister has assured us of cooperation in this leasing arrangement, as the Italian government holds a 30 per cent stake in Leonardo, the helicopter manufacturer," he said.
Anwar said that the specifications for these helicopters are determined by the respective agencies based on their operational needs, not by the government itself.
He added that Leonardo, the Italian defence firm awarded the contract to lease helicopters to the Armed Forces, would tailor the helicopters to meet the specific requirements of the end users.
Bagan Member of Parliament Lim Guan Eng expressed concerns about the long-term viability of leasing helicopters, noting that after 15 years, the helicopters could become outdated, especially given rapid technological advancements.
In response, Anwar acknowledged the evolving nature of technology and aircraft.
"The purchase is based on current needs, but in two to three years, we will review the priorities of the armed forces, who will provide an updated list that may include other military requirements beyond helicopters.
"For instance, in the Ukraine-Russia and Iran-Israel-Hezbollah conflicts, drones have emerged as a priority, whereas they were not before.
"I agree that we must continuously monitor and update our needs in line with technological advancements, ensuring we acquire state-of-the-art equipment," he said.