When two helicopters collided in Malaysia last year, killing 10 naval officers, it served as a wake-up call for a military that for too long has been dependent on ageing equipment.
Advertisement
Though the aircraft involved in that crash were relatively new, many others are not. Now, the king himself has intervened, calling out “nonsensical and unacceptable” procurement practices and forcing the cancellation of a deal for a fleet of 35-year-old Black Hawks.
At an event last Sunday, Sultan Ibrahim, Malaysia’s monarch and supreme commander of its armed forces, broke with convention to accuse the Ministry of Defence of wasting public money on outdated or unsuitable equipment, often at inflated prices.
“Don’t waste time buying ridiculous things that are not suitable for the military,” he told the assembled troops at a commando anniversary event. “If you don’t know the price, ask me first.”
The king recalled personally questioning a 5 million ringgit (US$1.2 million) boat purchase for commando use five years ago, saying he could have secured a better vessel for less than half the cost. He also lambasted delays in building a training pool at the same camp that was promised in 2022 but still isn’t ready.
Advertisement