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©The Star (Used by permission)

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has never paid anyone commission for the procurement of two Scorpene submarines and 18 Sukhoi fighter jets, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said Malaysia had direct negotiations with the countries involved.

The submarines were purchased from France and Spain and the jets from Russia.

“On the allegation made by Yang Berhormat Permatang Pauh (Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) that Perimekar Sdn Bhd had received a commission of ?114.96mil (RM580.46mil) in the Scorpene submarines deal, the ministry wants to stress that the Government has never paid any commission directly or indirectly to the company.

“On the purchase of Sukhoi, I want to stress that the Government has never paid any commission to IMT (M) Defence Sdn Bhd as alleged,” Najib said in his winding-up speech on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat here yesterday.

He was responding to renewed allegations by Wan Azizah that the purchase of the two submarines worth RM4.5bil involved the payment of a commission exceeding RM540mil to Perimekar.

Wan Azizah had also alleged that Perimekar was owned by Abdul Razak Baginda, who was an adviser to Najib.

He said the contract was signed on June 5, 2002, by the Malaysian Government with manufacturers DCNS (France) and Navantia (Spain) and Perimekar Sdn Bhd, as the project services provider.

Najib also explained that Syarikat Perimekar Sdn Bhd, which was owned by Armed Forces Welfare Fund, Boustead Holdings Berhad and K.S Ombak Laut Sdn Bhd, had to provide accommodation for 27 families of the officers in France and Spain for six years.

On allegations against him being involved in the murder case of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, Najib reiterated that he had never met or knew the woman.

He also said he did not want to make any comments as the hearing of the case was still going on.

“I know that some of the Dewan members are concerned about the court case of the murder of a Mongolian woman, and I also know that there are some members who deliberately tried to link my name to the case.

“Let the court play its role and carry out its responsibility to uphold justice in this country without any party interfering,” he said.

On the issue of national service, Najib said the Government would continue with the programme as it promotes unity although there were accidents and fatal cases.

Najib said the ministry was also considering making medical check-ups compulsory for every trainee.

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