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Missing jet engines spark crisis in Malaysia

By Kevin Brown in Singapore | Financial Times
Published: December 22 2009 13:58 | Last updated: December 22 2009 13:58

The Malaysian government is facing a fresh corruption crisis after officials admitted that two US-made fighter jet engines had disappeared from an air force base after apparently being illicitly sold by military officers to a South American arms dealer.

Najib Razak, prime minister, said there would be a full investigation of the thefts, which happened in 2007 and 2008, when he was defence minister. However, opposition parties accused the government of covering up the incidents.

Lim Kit Siang, parliamentary leader of the opposition Democratic Action party, said the authorities had been “super slow” and claimed that the prime minister’s response had painted “a frightening picture of a government of thieves”.

Idris Ahmad, spokesman for the allied Parti Islam SeMalaysia, said “powerful people” had been involved. “We don’t want only the ikan bilis [anchovies] to be arrested while the sharks are allowed to swim freely,” he said.

The General Electric J85-21A engines, each worth about M$50m ($15m), were spares for the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Northrop Grumman F-5E Tiger II fighters, which fly from the Butterworth air base near the country’s northern border with Thailand.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, defence minister, said the engines and associated equipment were “believed to have been sent to a South American country” after being moved to the Sungai Besi air force base in Kuala Lumpur for maintenance.

The defence ministry would not identify the company or the country involved or comment on claims in the Malaysian media that the engines may have ended up in the Middle East.

The F-5 went out of production in 1989 but is still flown as a trainer aircraft by US forces and is in frontline or reserve service with many foreign air forces, including that of Iran.

The defence ministry said several senior officers were being investigated. General Azizan Ariffin, chief of the armed forces, said the engine thefts might have been “the tip of the iceberg”, raising the possibility that other military equipment might also have disappeared.

The disclosure of the thefts is a serious blow to Mr Najib, who has promised a crackdown on corruption as part of efforts to recover support for his long-serving National Front government, which lost many of its seats in a general election last year.

The prime minister last week unveiled a three-year action plan amid concerns about declining investor interest and the impact of Malaysia’s fall to 56th in the 2009 Corruption Index published by Transparency International – down from 47th in 2008.

Mr Najib has flatly denied any personal corruption, including opposition claims of involvement in an allegedly corrupt submarine deal while he served as defence minister.

Corruption charges were brought this month against a senior port executive and two other officials linked to a controversial development near Kuala Lumpur known as the Port Klang Free Trade Zone.

The arrests followed a damning parliamentary report that found widespread corruption and cost overruns at the project, which has run up debts of more than $1bn.

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66 Replies to “Missing jet engines spark crisis in Malaysia”

  4. Hope this will never happen–

    Malaysian Scorpene sub collided with USS Enterprise in the South China Sea, causing the aircraft carrier to sink. Apparently the sub was sailing blindly because its periscope had been stolen by its crew and sold to a South American company.

  5. You can sell for a lot more money the modern technology to China. That is why USA does not export latest technology to this kind of ochipara countries such as Malaysia

    Kit Siang, why not mentioning anything about the airport custom? The beauty from Taiwan had her baggage forced open and a watch stolen. This is as bad as stealing the jet engine because it has been happening all the time. This kind of negative publicity is really bad for Malaysia.

  6. Let’s say the perpetrators had another motive other than money in selling the engines to the Iranians. You think they would be allowed to confess in a court of law that they did it for the Islamic brotherhood ?

  7. Defence minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today refuted reports that the Scorpene sub had been sailing blind due to a missing periscope when it collided with the American aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. “It was the Americans who were sailing blind. Our submarine had right of way because it was on our claimed territorial waters off the Spratlys. In fact we have every reason to believe that the Americans were out to deliberately test our defensive resolve and it is to the credit of the submarine crew that they sacrificed their lives for Bolehland.” Bernama

  9. it’s looking pretty clear the hand does not know what the feet does. the persons calling out the perpetrators as traitors apparently didn’t get the memo! ssshhh Ahmad Zahidi, they just may let you in on the cookie jar. we’ll deal with it with standard umno practice -launch a long-asx investigation to oblivion.

  13. Now that Malaysia has proven to the world that jet engines can go missing, and that Malaysia cannot be trusted to control he latest military equipment, Malaysia would have a problem to acquire military weapons from the US as in the past. Thus, an indirect approach such as buying stolen goods might have to be resorted. Since this cannot happen in a public tender not in the sense that the secret requirment could be compromised, but in the sense that the vendors did not want to be seen to be dealing with Malaysia, the purchase price would be higher than a normal direct deal.

    It might be a blessing in disguise that when the price is too high that we cannot afford, we will be having savings not buying any. Our records show that our jets ended up crashing during training, and now having the engines sold during peace time. We do not need all the fighter jets if we do not try to bully.

  14. and the government whines about the americans and brits cooking up tough visa laws for malaysians? the yanks may just be a little more interested in our wonderful submarine deal.

    be careful, they just may put us on the “friends of axis of evil” list.

  17. Hi Godfather,any info about malaysians involving in the smuggling of hundreds of tonne of ammunition which were probably stolen from our MOD on that plane which was detained by the Thai’s authority in Bangkok recently. You know these stuffs could for the southern Thailand separarists.And yeap who knows it was sponcered by bin laden.You know 2 certain people here still glorify him.

  18. there are many implications that this issue has raise.
    1 This shown that many Malaysian government top or bottle officers are willing to do what ever for the sake of money.
    2 this was possible simply most of the officers are corrupted.

    3 the environment was simply too conducive for corrupt practice to take place like can you imagine the head of MACC is also implicated in corrupt practice so what was so shock about arm forces? But Arm Forces are national security issue and this was serious.

    4 corruption is seem to be as normal as makan nasi in Malaysia. Since every body do it so if I am not doing that I look stupid kind of altitude is all in the mind of the BN officers.

    Now the Government only disclosed this issue after 2 years? So it already cover up?

    Malaysia is being run by the hopeless BN.

  19. Lets cut to the chase. THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS HOW COME NAJIB DID NOT TAKE THE FULL MEASURE BACK IN 2007 and 2008? Everything else is secondary. What did he know about the case in 2007. Why did he not follow up when he knew about it. Was he slow to react? Why was he slow? Did he hesitate? Did he do ‘Biasa-lah…’?

  21. Royal Commission of Inquiry questioning Jib—-

    RCI: “Why did Datuk Seri not take full measures in 2007 and 2008?”

    Jib: ” Gua tak ingat”

    RCI: “Why did Datuk Seri not follow up the case in 2007?”

    Jib: ” Gua tak ingat”

    RCI: “Why did Datuk Seri slow to react then?”

    Jib: ” Gua tak ingat”

    RCI: “Why did Datuk Seri come for this inquiry?”

    Jib: ” Gua tak ingat”

  22. The recent disclosure of RM100 million theft that happened more than 2 years ago is surely a cover-up by the Government. How many more cases of cover-up by the Government? How many billions of ringgit of cover-up cases were lost? It seemed Najib has no political will to fight against corruption. Was he the Defence Minister then?

    The Defence Minister or AG or MACC or PDRM said that will be no cover-up and they are investigating? Hypocrites! The Rakyat is not so stupid. This case happened more than 2 years ago and if not for the recent disclosure the Raykat would still be unaware of their money RM100,000,000 was lost. Up till now, still not even one is brought to book? What kind of investigation are they carrying out – Similar to that of PKFZ scandal? Billions were lost and they previously said that there was no corruption nor any irregularity found until Ong TK took over this case and make a bold move this year in getting an independent investigating party.

    How can a corrupted person fight against corruption? How can we still trust the Government handling the Raykat money? 1Malaysia is nothing less than a political slogan, alot of crap talk.

  23. in america black kids at the poverty level are raised with only one way out of the hoods – play sports.

    in malaysia kids of a certain race are groomed to land a ticket to the big money tree – be an umno junkie.

  27. There is never going to be any end to all these scandal of corruptions with our hard earn money going into somebody’s pocket. Corrupt umno/bn must fall. I agree with many that Pakatan Rakyat is not that perfect but we need to vote them in for at least two terms in order for us to judge their performance. By then corrupt umno/bn will most probably have change for the better and we can then have two choices to select.

    Malaysia For All

    GE 13 – Change The Federal Government No matter what, we must ensure that racist umno bn do not regain the power like they had for over the past fifty two years.

  29. When Al Maunah stole weapons they were found guilty of treason and hanged. Now why should these thieves of jet engines be treated differently? Big names involved? Too big to hang?

    One always thought such things happens only in movies. But I suppose it speaks volumes about the type of asset controls we have in the Armed Forces that could encourage such an act to take place. And is the Auditor General also involved in auditing Armed Forces assets or is that also very sensitive and cannot be checked by anyone else?

    I find the excuse given by Govt leaders that “only junior officers are involved” very amusing. Haven’t they heard of responsibility and accountability? The direct thieves may be junior officers but if there is a dereliction of duty of senior officers in monitoring such assets, they are no less guilty. And the buck goes all the way to the top. Yes, the Defence Minister included. In countries with leaders of integrity, the minister would have taken the responsiblity and resign. But I suppose in Malaysia where this is not the culture, it is this very weakness that spawns ande encourages the audacity and ease to commit such a crime.

  30. In the 80s,Malaysian government bought 80 A4 skyhawks which was to us in 1984.These
    are working aircrafts with plenty of mileage to go.35 skyhawks were brought back to malaysia for service.A few dropped off from the sky with one went missing in the South China Sea.The rest were used until it could not be used.Some were used as spare parts.
    The Remaining 45 Skyhawks Were Left In The
    California Dessert parked under the scorching dessert sun.IT WAS NEVER BROUGHT BACK.So what is 2 stolen jet engines.It’s SUP SUP SIOU,man

  32. The incidents of fighter jet engines theft showed us some clue about the reason why Najib gave up the post of Defence Minister so easily to Umno’s first Vice President, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (who is believed to be a political competitor of Hishammuddin Hussein within Umno in respect of party posts) and not to Najib’s own cousin, Hishammuddin Hussein.

    Umno’s factionalism is going to turn much more complicated after the reveal of these theft incidents. I guess Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be forced to stand by the side of Muhyiddin Yassin in order to confront Najib and Hishammuddin Hussein in the party internal rivalry. For the next coming year, Malaysia’s politics will not be able to stay stable until Umno has willingly given up the control of the Federal Government to Pakatan Rakyat!

  33. Scandals after scandals. Even one of these scandals could bring down a whole government if this is not bolehland. The bolehlanders are really tolerant. Why don’t all those who still believe in wholesome moral values, integrity and human dignity come together in a non partisan basis to get rid of these rotten lot who who are out there for thier own selfish and self intrest.

  34. “Idris Ahmad, spokesman for the allied Parti Islam SeMalaysia, said “powerful people” had been involved. “We don’t want only the ikan bilis [anchovies] to be arrested while the sharks are allowed to swim freely,” he said.”

    Hahaha, expect another two corporals to be charged. EOF. At the rate they are going, PR will have a walk-over by election time.

  37. The Umno-BN leaders must be held responsible for the debacle.

    If Umno-Utusans are still allowed to form the next government after the next GE, god save Malaysia.

    Don’t blame the low-ranking air force personnels !

  39. Typical of Bolehland, they will find that the CCTVs at Sg Besi base have not been working..so investigations have taken longer than usual. Then they will charge the clueless sergeant on duty plus two clueless privates with treason.

    Like the PKFZ scandal, the story will end there…three ikan bilis caught while the sharks roam in London, Paris and Sydney with their second or third wives in Jimmy Choo shoes and Louis Vitton handbags.

  42. you know something…even if PR wins GE13, there will probably be no more Parliament House, PutraJaya or Istana Negara and may be even Pudu Jail….some unscrupulous toyol-ish b@st@rd could have sold these to some Hong Kong tycoon or perhaps Robert Mugabe.

  44. My once pro MCA man ..a multi millionaire….shook his head reading this stolen…that billions lost and said UMNO government is leading the people to no where…no clear directions right now….and have no money.
    He is really fed up. His first board public listed property company…hangs on..with concern.
    He is feeling the heat with dozens of huge tenants unable to pay punctually rentals…amounting to millions each month.
    Instead of chasing for punctual payments…he employ dozens of salesmen to help tenants..with his own money.
    He treat ever tenant’s problem as his own.
    He is respected and love by all tenants.
    They loose money..he join in…to stand together.
    The heat is on..and he is fed up…government have no clear directions.

  45. He is helping people with no jobs…to get jobs.
    But they must produce…he is no Satan Clause.
    One multi millionaire..opened a coffee shop and .with new first class quality…stainless steel stalls…to give young unemployed Malaysians chances to sell food.
    Most are first timers.
    But that is very risky….as it needs good food to succeed.
    So far…out of 18..only 5 can say…making money.
    One needs to walk in the streets to see how bad Malaysia economy is.

  49. //Why not you organize a mass protest on the street? I want to be number one participant lah.//
    ——————————-

    Borrow knife to kill a person?
    Son of perpaduan, Why don’t you organize the mass protest?

  50. Najib says no cover-up. “We will nab the culprits, and make them face the full extent of the law.”

    AG says no cover-up. “We will charge everyone who’s guilty. No big fish or small fish, we catch all fish.”

    Utusan says no cover-up. “Let the police investigate. Don’t politicise the issue.”

    What are these people referring to ? Is it PKFZ ? Is it missing jet engines ? Is it “correct, correct, correct” scandal ? You mean BN has a standard script for all scandals ?

  52. Oops, I heard that the CCTVs at the military base are not in working order. Apparently they have not been in working order for the past few years. So Gani Patail is going to charge a sergeant plus two corporals on guard duty with treason. Wait a minute, without CCTV footage, who knows on what day those engines were stolen. OK, Gani Patail is going to charge 10 sergeants and 20 corporals for treason.

    Najib was right all along – “No senior officers were involved in the theft.” The corporals got together and hatched the scheme. They negotiated with international arms dealers, opened offshore banks accounts, falsified export documents, negotiated shipping contracts, stole the logbooks for both engines, bribed customs people. Man, these corporals are good – we should put them on UMNO’s payroll. It will be a waste to put them behind bars.

  53. It was during d time when sleepy AAB was d PM n NR d Defence Minister
    When C4 was stolen 2 blow a beauty away
    When two fighter engines were stolen n exported
    When …….. what else (what abt submarine bot @ a ridiculously high price n commission)
    Got seppuku or not – probably not, no samurai honor/spirit lah

  54. Don’t you guys all worry about catching the big fat fish.You know ,how long Umno/Bn can keep on covering up them. At the rate the corruption is going on now ,sooner or later,they will run out of, especially the XXXL size/type cover.

  56. There are too many scandals rocking Malaysia, too many for anyone to swallow. Trying to cover one and another one pop up. It is like the game of hitting the popping rabbit.

    I think the perception of the Government is simply beyond repair and Datuk Sri Idris Jala will have a Herculean tasks of redeeming the government’s image by his NKRA and KPI’s project. These projects are likely to be sabotaged by the UMNO warlords, hence ending to be more likely to backlash the BN than to assist the them. The chances of success is 20% compare to 80% failure. Except for the Ministers involved, Jala and Tsu Koon, I really do not see the support of it by other Ministers especially from UMNO. I think many are just waiting to put a spanner in the works and i can predict the fate of DS Idris Jala will be the same as Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahin if he really push for it. If not it will die a natural death as history will repeat itself insofar as UMNO is concern.

  57. I think it’s better for Idris Jala to leave now before he gets himself mix up with dirt and sh+t. Come on,come out now join DAP/PR,go back to Sarawak and fight for your people.They needed you there badly.

  58. When C4 being ‘smuggled out ‘ (or was it being ‘authorised’ out?) for blowing up Altantantunya…. probably that is an ‘isolated case’

    But now 2 jet engines for the country war-plane was ‘smuggled out’ and exported to Argentina….. can that still be considered as ‘isolated case’ anymore? Both happened during the tenure of the same Finance Minister…

    We demand for accountability….whether it is due to incompetency or ‘misconduct’ or corruption….whatever it is… someone need to be accountable for it….

    It involved public fund… and it is about nation’s security too!

  59. typo…
    But now 2 jet engines for the country’s war-planes were ’smuggled out’ and exported to Argentina….. can that still be considered as ‘isolated case’ anymore? Both happened during the tenure of the same Defense Minister…

  61. This case happened not just yesterday. Datuk Idris Jala is not a politician. He should know much earlier on why he is called to be in a position which has nothing to do with his work experience. Whether he was in MAS or whether he is now in the Prime Minister’s department. We will never know if he will be called to be a full fledged politician. He is a man who is willing to take on challenges. Even great ones. But one thing for sure, the KPI scans through all the documented reports and finds out those irregularities. Verdict: POOR MANAGEMENT. For the last 50 years. Don’t blame the people now. The finger of blame should point to the beginning of the problem and that was 50 years ago. Back then, there was poor management and this poor management goes on until now and later. Now that you have all the documents. The next step should be to find out the culprits and punish them. Question is do you have the guts to punish them ? Is it worth it to punish them ? Or may be let’s do it the quiet way. The punishment is meted out without anyone knowing it. How’s that for transparency’s sake ? To think that this old engine has travelled half the world away is quite hard to believe. Therefore there is no such a thing as useless. This old engine can still work powerfully in the hands of some professional scientists, professional engineers, professional mechanics who are out to make a buck or two. It takes professional people to know what to do with an old engine but sophisticated one. Professional magician to make the engine poof into thin air.

  62. Those involved (if they do not face death penalty)should receive the following
    a). Citizenships taken away, they should be made stateless, not fit to be Malaysian!!!
    b). Property n asset confiscated, made a bankrupt!!
    c). 24 strokes of the rotan
    d). minimum 15 years jail

  64. As one great man once said ‘What crisis?’ Certainly not in Malaysia!
    The high and mighty don’t ever make mistakes, never indulge in corruption, and always have the best interests of the rakyat at heart.

  65. MOSTERBALL, please update more issue on public plights coz The Star paper useless now. More public news needed to stimulate the anger of public towards BN umno goverment. The Star wasting space section publish only affair on bung mokhtar story, who care men!

  66. The consolation is that the missing-engines matter has come out in the open, as will many other cases of theft and corruption involving public assets. I thank the ‘internet’ for this; nowadays, it is hard for the government to hide this sort of thing. You can’t hide durians, bacang, and rotting corpses; and for a good reason too!

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