DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua will not file a report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commision (MACC) over the Defence Ministry's purchase of six offshore petrol vessels (OPV).

NONEHe said this was because his article on the issue which was posted in his blog recently, only wanted the minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to justify the RM6 billion purchase.

"My statement did not accuse the ministry over the purchase but requested the ministry to justify its purchase by giving detailed specifications on the type of OPVs which was being acquired," he said in a statement today.

Hence, the Petaling Jaya Utara member of parliament said, the MACC call to him to file a report with the commission over the issue was irrelevant at this point in time.

"MACC's claim that its unable to do anything without a report from me is even more ridiculous. Should MACC require clarifications on the details and cost of the ships, they have the power to summon the relevant officials with the information, which I'm powerless to do.

"As an MP, in the interest of the rakyat, I can only ask the right questions when the need arises to check on the various government agencies. 

"Similarly, it would have been MACC's proactive responsibility to at the very least conduct preliminary inquiries on the very substantial RM6 billion OPVs purchase which didn't come with details when it was first announced, and not have to wait for an MP to raise the questions."

MACC wants Pua to file report

Yesterday, MACC sources were quoted by Bernama as saying that the commission required a report from Pua before commencing any investigation into the purchase.

Recently, Ahmad Zahid announced the order for six units of offshore patrol vessels for RM6 billion from Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd.

Pua has questioned MACC over its sit-and-wait attitute.

"Not every inquiry investigated will lead to a genuine abuse or corruption case. But the fact that MACC failed to even monitor developments in mega-government acquisitions in the billions of ringgit marks its failure as the agency to fight against corruption in the country.

"Instead by attempting to shift its responsibility to an MP who is raising very relevant questions on the RM6 billion acquisition is makes a mockery on the commitment and competence of MACC."