The Malaysian Insider

Another symbol of malaysian extravagance and wastage!! As billions are spent acquiring the subs, many of our schools,universities,hospitals are in deplorable conditions. These are money spent which has no multiplier effect on our economy, has no use in protecting our waters from illegal immigrants, pirates, has no benefit to the country and rakyat except for enriching a few connected people. What about the millions of taxpayer's money that will be required in the future to maintain the subs?? And half the nation is earning less than US$500 a month!! Shame on you!!!

As the submarine was delivered, someone higher up also received the commission due. Big fat ang pow for the new year.

Is this the submarines that are related to the Mongolian women case which is still widely speculated until today, Mr Najib?

u guys didn't know? this submarine used to bring in other women so they won't have anymore immigration records. easier to c4 them without a trace

Our leaders display the same level of competence and intelligence as the renowned fable of Marie-Antoinette (1755-93), the Queen consort of Louis XVI. She is supposed to have said "Let them eat cake" when she was told that the French populace had no bread to eat.

Marie-A's reputation as an indulgent socialite is akin to our national leaders who do not associate themselves with the sufferings of the masses. Our top leaders distance themselves with layers upon layers of sycophants and evil-doers who crush others to maintain power for the top.

Our top leaders only care to maintain the system of patronage which empowers themselves and enriches the next echelon of gangster politicians who then keep the ordinary members in check. Of course, these power brokers are crude self-serving gangsters. They are no better than triad leaders who are coarse and loathsome as they operate and rule on fear and rewards. Either buy someone or get rid of them (politically or physically). Look at all the infighting that is going on in UMNO and its component BN parties. All self-interested, self-serving robber barons who hark back to an ancient feudal system of allegiances built on patronage.

This mentality causes our leaders, beginning primarily with Mahatir, to indulge in grandiose designs of the highest towers, the longest bridges, the strongest navies, the largest projects, etc... Only by spending money to prop up their egos and largesse can these politicians hope to build their own wealth and power of patronage. Hence money is made when money is spent. There is no consideration of value-add to society. These leaders have no concept of "Lean Production", where Toyota teaches how to add customer value and trim excesses where no customer value creation is determined.

So our country buys submarines to protect against unseen, unreal enemies when the true enemies are those within who seek to siphon national wealth into their own pockets via excessive spending activities. Hence when the country is in deep economic distress due to global and local issues, what is left for the rakyat? Of course, we have military hardware to stave off our hunger, we have submarines to satisfy our basic needs of food, clean water and a roof over our heads. We have fingers itching to buy more helicopters when such huge funds can be used for more appropriate national social programs to support the local economies and stop starving folks in marginalized segments of kampung and city from dying of hunger or from suffering from a lack of basic necessities.

There is no unifying vision of greater good because our top leaders and their cronies are bereft of good thoughts or good intentions. These are veritable bad-hats of our society, inbred mongrels of scum who feed off the misfortunes of society at large. What do they care about the poor - "Let them eat submarines!"

What did the French do with their incompetent and self-serving leaders? "Off with their heads"...Time indeed for Hudud laws to be implemented.

Submarines for what? To catch mermaids? This is another excuse for corruption. Buying all those fancy war things what for? Who is going to attack Malaysia? So many Malaysians have no water and electricity and now buy this useless piece of equipment. Time to torpedo the government and get one in with some common sense, not just after dollars!

"April 28, 2007: Singapore, which received four refurbished Swedish coastal submarines in the last decade, is about to receive two more modern, and much more capable, boats. The four older Challenger class subs each displace 1,100 tons on the surface, have a crew of 28 and are armed with four 533mm and two 400mm torpedo tubes. Sixteen torpedoes are carried, as well as several dozen mines externally.


The four A-11 Challenger Class (ex-Sjöbjörnen Class), were purchased in 1995. These are old boats, first was launched in 1968. The Challenger Class were modified for tropical conditions (air conditioning and better corrosion resistance), and also received weapons system and sensor upgrades. The Challengers have done very well in training exercises against American and Australian warships."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Singapore_Navy#Submarines
RSS Challenger—commissioned 1997
RSS Conqueror—commissioned 1999
RSS Centurion—commissioned 1999
RSS Chieftain—commissioned 2001


Imagine my dear friends, S'pore, just a small country, with a limited territory, had 4 subs and 1st being commissioned in 1997, 12 years back. What's the motivation behind all this? Military intelligence gathering? A deterrence?

We just have one, 12 years later, I believe for the same purpose, intelligence gathering and Spratly issues. This budget had been allocated before the crises, and for the sake of military planning, let's take this with an open mind. This is not a weapon race, our neighbors had ran a long time ago

"By Chad Bouchard Jakarta 11 September 2007

Indonesia has signed a $1 billion arms package to update its crumbling military. The agreement with Russia includes contracts for two submarines and contains an option to purchase up to eight more over the next 15 years. As Chad Bouchard reports from Jakarta, that plan is raising concerns among other Pacific nations."

"India concerned at China’s growing n-submarine fleet
May 5th, 2008 - 7:54 pm ICT by admin - Send to a friend:

New Delhi, May 5 (IANS) While brushing off any security implications due to the deployment of Chinese nuclear submarines at a spot near India, Chief of Navy Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta Monday said it was the increasing number of Chinese nuclear submarines that was more a matter of concern. “We will be concerned by the increasing number of submarines built by them and not where they are based,” Mehta said at the sidelines of a function here.
“Nuclear submarines can operate over large distances. It does not matter where it comes from,” Mehta added.
Satellite images of the Chinese Navy’s upcoming base at Hainan Island, 1,200 nautical miles from the strategic Malacca Strait and an access route to the Indian Ocean, has set off alarm bells across the Indian establishment."

Think my friends

Indonesia Set To Buy Russian Submarines

A Russian Kilo-class submarine.
by Staff Writers
Jakarta, Indonesia (SPX) Oct 20, 2006
The Indonesian Navy plans to buy several modern diesel submarines from Russia, the Antara news agency said Thursday. The agency quoted Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Slamet Soebijanto as saying that the decision to acquire four Kilo-class and two Amur 950 (Lada-class) submarines had been taken because of Russian-made submarines' advantage over their German and French equivalents in terms of reliability and cost.
The Navy sent a proposal to the Indonesian government in January to purchase 12 diesel submarines from Russia by 2024. First Admiral Abdul Malik Yusuf, the chief spokesman for the Indonesian Navy, said at the time that combat submarines were needed as strategic armaments, enabling the country to maintain security in its territorial waters.

Indonesia's leading magazine, Tempo, earlier said the country's navy has deployed two German-made submarines, although until recently the Indonesian submarine fleet was entirely composed of Soviet-made combat submarines.

The Amur 950 submarine is a smaller version of Project 677 or Lada-class diesel submarine, and is designed to operate in the littoral environment, in deep and shallow waters. The vessel features a new anti-sonar coating for the hull, an extended cruising range, and advanced anti-ship and anti-submarine weaponry, including the Club-S cruise missile system.

All hail Malaysia's first naval submarine, christened the 'HMS Altantuya"!

@ex-ROTU

Unlike Malaysia, Singapore is a small island, therefore self defense is very very important. Furthermore, they are a rich nation, they fulfilled the citizen's basic needs such as proper school, water, electricity facilities, roads and many more.

Why do we need a submarine for? Spying? War? Don't you think if the money allocated for the submarine, space tourist thing and all those white elephant project are better utilized in building a better facilities for the people, especially the native Iban, Dayak, Kadazan, Penan and more in East Malaysia as most of our money comes from their PETROL from their ANCESTOR'S land.

Friends, it's merely a matter of time before this kapal selam becomes a kapal karam somewhere in the Sulu Sea. After all, the MOD top guns are all as corrupt as their former Minister Boss Najis. So, in true Malaysia Boleh style, they will neglect to buy the correct spare parts for this submarine and also neglect to do proper maintenance. And then, don't forget also, tadaaa bajet..! So, poor innocent navy boys all going down no thanks to KD Najis. This kapal karam and its crew are all gonna end up as dead as Ms. Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Apart from KD Altantuya; I suggest KD Ziana; KD Najis; KD Mongolia; KD Rasuah; dll..

Dr Tang Siew Mun, a lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's (UKM) School of History, Political and Strategic Studies whose expert areas are strategy, war and use of force explain
"WHY SUBMARINES ARE CRUCIAL?

Submarines are crucial because our maritime border is extensive. The Melaka Straits is very important for international shipping while the territorial waters off Sabah is very porous, Dr Tang said.

Therefore, building a dedicated submarine based in Teluk Sepanggar, Sabah to enhance our naval presence in very important.

The submarines will enhance Malaysia's military presence and give the country extra options during conflicts.

Even though there is no war going on, these submarines can be used for a wide range of missions like surveillance, naval blockades, information and intelligence-gathering as well as the landing and retrieval of special forces.

"Having submarines gives the country a strategic edge. For example, we have undersea cables for electricity, oil and gas pipes. When we have valuable assets undersea, we need to protect them against the possibility of sabotage.

"If we don't, then we are vulnerable to terrorism and attacks. In this sense, the submarines really boost our strategic option," Dr Tang said.(http://www.bernama.com/maritime/printable.php?id=295768)

My argument- The need to fulfill the other urgent need like eradicating poverties, supplying clean water, a better school did hold, and the military need shall hold as well. The right tool needed to execute the jobs effectively. Ask any navy planner in the world, I believe they hold to the argument that subs is very important.