Kuala lumpur: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today issued a stern reminder to the Ministry of Defence not to repeat past mistakes in the procurement of military assets, particularly used aircraft that could endanger the lives of pilots and military personnel.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, His Majesty highlighted the nation's experience in purchasing second-hand Skyhawk aircraft as a lesson, citing that the planes could not be fully utilized. He questioned, "Do not repeat the past mistake like when we bought second-hand Skyhawks. are we going to put our pilots in 'flying coffins'? Think for yourselves."
Sultan Ibrahim expressed concern over the influence of agents and former military personnel in the Ministry of Defence, suggesting that some are more interested in sales than in the actual needs of the military. He made these remarks at the 60th Anniversary Parade of Rejimen Gerak Khas (RGK) at Kem Iskandar, where notable attendees included the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, and other key military and government figures.
The A-4 Skyhawk aircraft, developed by McDonnell-Douglas, was once a significant part of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), which bought 80 units from the United States in 1982. However, due to a high accident rate, the fleet was eventually retired. Sultan Ibrahim, who also serves as Colonel Commandant of Gerup Gerak Khas (GGK), advised against the procurement of over 30-year-old Black Hawk helicopters, fearing a repeat of past mistakes.
The Sultan emphasized the importance of transparency in military procurement, insisting that all parties ensure evaluations are based on market prices and the actual needs of the armed forces, rather than the recommendations of agents or those with vested interests. He recounted a prior instance involving the purchase of rigid raiding craft for an inflated price and urged that similar errors be avoided in future procurements.
His Majesty warned that inflated 'middleman' prices could lead to insufficient government allocations and urged the Ministry to heed his advice, stating he would not speak up again if ignored. He also criticized the delay in the combat diving pool project at RGK Camp and called for the prioritization of acquiring new equipment to maintain RGK's readiness.
The parade commemorated the 60th anniversary of the RGK's establishment, celebrating the dedication and sacrifices of its elite warriors in defending Malaysia's sovereignty.