By Syed Jaymal Zahiid - The Malaysian InsiderKUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 — Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi remained tightlipped over the progress of investigations into the two stolen RMAF F-5E jet engines, saying today the Attorney-General is now the sole authority in the case.
Zahid (picture) said investigation papers on the jet engines theft have already been submitted to the A-G, making it legally impossible for him to comment on the case which has placed the country's security policy under severe domestic and international scrutiny.
"Right now the probe is entirely in the hands of the police and they have submitted their investigation papers to the A-G for further legal action.
"So only he (Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail) has the authority to comment on the matter now," Zahid told reporters after launching this term's national service here.
The two General Electric J85-21A turbojet engines, said to be worth RM100 million, were found missing after an audit in 2007. A police report was only lodged in early 2008 but the matter came to light last month.
Two days ago, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hasan said the police have re-submitted their investigation papers to the A-G, revealing that there were updates in their investigations.
Musa also confirmed that only two jet engines had gone missing and not four as mentioned in news reports that quoted sources. He urge all quarters not to speculate on the matter.
He has also said three low-ranking airmen and a company agent were the only ones involved in the theft.
Gani had said that he viewed the theft as a "serious matter" and promised to launch a thorough probe.
However, the promises of action have met with fierce scepticism from the public and especially opposition leaders who are now calling for a royal commission of inquiry to probe the fiasco.
The Najib administration's effort to reform its government has suffered a gloomy setback by the theft as the opposition seized the opportunity to back its claims that the Barisan Nasional government is corrupt.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was defence minister when the engines went missing, now faces tremendous pressure to hang those responsible but political pundits are already betting on a scapegoating exercise by his government.
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