Deputy Minister Lodges Report Against Rafizi Over Artillery Tender Claims

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PETALING JAYA: The Deputy Defence Minister has lodged a police report against PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli over a Facebook post that allegedly implicated him in a military-related contract.
In a statement, Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz said his senior private secretary lodged the report at the Dang Wangi police station on Friday (Oct 7) over Rafizi's allegations in an article posted earlier in the week.
The post claimed that the Defence Ministry's howitzer contract was awarded to a company linked to the deputy minister.
ALSO READ: Hishammuddin swats away Rafizi's 'strong cable' claim on RM854mil artillery tender (https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/10/05/hishammuddin-swats-away-rafizi039s-039strong-cable039-claim-on-rm854mil-artillery-tender)
"Rafizi's accusation is a lie and defamatory in nature with the intention to smear my reputation.
"As Deputy Defence Minister, I don't have any authority to decide or influence companies chosen by the ministry in procurement matters.
"This is because the ministry has put in place procedures related to the acquisition of assets and equipment that must be adhered to and approved by the end users – the Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy and Royal Malaysian Air Force.
"The acquisitions of assets and equipment must also be approved by agencies such as the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Prime Minister's Department and Finance Ministry before any decision is made to allow the acquisition to proceed," he said in the statement.
As such, Ikmal Hisham said Rafizi's allegations were intended to tarnish his reputation and raise public anger against him.
"I will let the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) investigate the allegations.
"I am also ready to cooperate in any form of investigation by any agency, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission," said Ikmal Hisham. - Star

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