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KOTA TINGGI: The Defence Ministry has called for a fresh tender to lease four helicopters for the Army Air Corps after a previous award to a company that failed to deliver the aircraft was cancelled, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The Defence Minister said the re-tendering process was necessary, as the army requires helicopters for its operations.

“We will assess the type of helicopter, the age, the leasing costs, and other factors before making a decision.

“The tender period will end in September, so we will see what proposals are submitted,” he said after having breakfast with the Chinese community at the Kota Tinggi Muafakat Food Court yesterday.

He added that during the evaluation process, the ministry would also take into account the views expressed by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of ÿ�մ���, recently.

When asked about the type of helicopters that would be leased, Mohamed Khaled, who is also Kota Tinggi MP, said this would depend on the tenders received.

He pointed out that the fresh tender was called following the ministry’s cancellation of a contract for the lease of Black Hawk helicopters in November last year.

He said that the company, which had previously won the tender, failed to deliver on its obligations and also faced fines, resulting in the forfeiture of its guarantee money.

On Aug 16, Sultan Ibrahim issued a reminder to the ministry not to repeat past mistakes in the procurement of military assets, particularly second- hand aircraft that could endanger the lives of pilots and personnel.

The King, who is Colonel Commandant of the Special Forces Regiment (Gerup Gerak Khas), specifically cautioned against the proposed acquisition of Black Hawk helicopters that are more than 30 years old.

Meanwhile, asked about the Government Procurement Bill, Mohamed Khaled said it would be tabled in Parliament starting this week and is expected to strengthen the government procurement process.

“Once passed as an Act, it will make it an offence to breach procurement procedures in the future.

“The law will consider non-compliance with tender processes as a violation and subject to punishment,” he said.

On Saturday (Aug 23), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Government Procurement Bill is further proof of the government’s commitment to transparency.

“The previous government did not dare to do this.

“All government procurement – whether at a federal, state or local authority level – must follow clear procedures and tender processes, except in matters of security.

“For example, if we want to purchase radar for security, confidentiality is required, and that is exempt,” he added.