PETALING JAYA: A police report has been lodged against PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli over a post which allegedly implicated Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz in a military-related contract.
Ikmal Hisham said the post on Facebook claimed that the Defence Ministry’s howitzer contract was awarded to a company linked to him.
“Rafizi’s accusation is a lie,” he said.
He added that it was defamatory in nature and intended to smear his reputation.
“As the Deputy Defence Minister, I don’t have any authority to decide or influence companies chosen by the ministry on defence 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,” he said.
Ikmal Hisham added that the contract must be approved by the end users – the army, navy and air force.
“These must also be approved by the Prime Minister’s Department, Finance Ministry and Economic Planning Unit before any decision is made to allow the acquisition of assets and equipment to proceed,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said the report was lodged by his senior private secretary at the Dang Wangi police station yesterday.
He added that Rafizi uploaded the post on Thursday.
He said Rafizi’s allegations were also intended to raise public anger against him.
“I will let the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate Rafizi over his allegations.
“I am ready to cooperate in investigations carried out by any agency.
“This includes the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on the allegations,” Ikmal Hisham said.
Recently, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that no company had won the tender to supply artillery systems to the army.
He added that negotiations were still ongoing.