Malaysia's first submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman (KD TAR) which was reported to have a mechanical fault, has been completely repaired and is expected to be go under water on Feb 22, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
He said the supplier and local engineers had tested the submarine and found that it was now functioning properly and that the mechanical fault had been fully repaired.
"There is no cost to be borne by the government because the submarine is still under guarantee and let's not make any speculation about this," he told reporters after opening the Armed Forces Maal Hijrah celebration at the Wisma Pertahanan, here Friday.
The fault on the submarine was detected on Jan 17, following maintenance work conducted at the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Teluk Sepanggar, Sabah.
The damage involved a part that channels water pressure movement which caused the submarine's failure to go under water.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said rumour that the construction of Gong Kedak Air Force base in Kelantan did not meet the required specifications should not be entertained until investigation on the matter was completed.
"I have personally visited and monitored the situation at the air force base and I hope all quarters will stop speculating on the matter until the investigation is completed," he said.
The minister, however, refused to comment further on the allegation that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission would also be involved in the investigation.
The air force base had become a controversy when certain quarters claimed that the construction did not meet the specifications and that it was built by an inexperienced contractor, to the extent of causing damage to the engine of a Sukhoi aircraft.
-- BERNAMA
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