{
  "id": 13665540,
  "title": "RCI bukan penentu LCS siap segera, kata Khaled",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/rci-bukan-penentu-lcs-siap-segera-kata-khaled",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T06:50:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/10/11/rci-bukan-penentu-lcs-siap-segera-kata-khaled"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Menteri Pertahanan Khaled Nordin stated that setting up the Royal Malaysian Audit Council (RCI) to investigate issues with the development of the Maritime Corps Light Combat Ship (LCS) does not determine when the national defense asset will be ready. The minister emphasized that the shipbuilder must expedite work and ensure there is no recurrence of delays. He made this statement following the First Halia Kayti Jana Veteran and the Launching of Jana Community in Telok Sengat Plantation and Felda Air Tawar lands. Khaled addressed the desire of Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim for expedited investigation of the LCS project and emphasized that it should not be dependent on the RCI's report from the Auditor General's Office 2/2026, which found the project to be delayed by 7.55% from the original schedule as of June 25. The new delivery date for the LCS 1 was set to April 2027 by Lumut Naval Shipyard (Lunas), the company responsible for building the vessel. This new date was set after Lunas informed that they could not commit to delivering LCS 1 by December. Khaled also mentioned that such matters should be handed over to the Prevention of Corruption Council Malaysia and relevant authorities. He referred to a court case involving a former Navy officer who had previously held the position of Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd's manager related to the LCS project. The government is currently negotiating with several countries to obtain a precision strike missile replacement for LCS 1 to replace the Norwegian Naval Strike Missile. This acquisition is not dependent on the 2027 budget, and the ministry wishes to ensure that LCS 1 is fully equipped without taking too much time. Currently, the vessel has surface-to-air missiles, surface-to-surface capability, and electromagnetic jamming systems, with the surface-to-air missile capability being a unique feature.",
  "summary": "Ia susulan gesaan Ahli Parlimen Pasir Gudang Hassan Karim supaya siasatan projek LCS dipercepatkan dan tidak bergantung kepada RCI susulan Laporan Ketua Audit Negara 2/2026 mendapati projek itu lewat 7.55%.",
  "key_points": [
    "RCI setup doesn't determine LCS readiness timeline",
    "Shipbuilder urged to expedite work, avoid delays",
    "LCS 1 delivery date set to April 2027"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "RCI bukan penentu LCS siap segera, kata Khaled",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/rci-bukan-penentu-lcs-siap-segera-kata-khaled-13673401",
        "published": "2026-10-11T06:50:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}