Scandal riddled Eurocopter deal is on

LANGKAWI: Malaysia still thinks the scandal tainted RM2.3 billion Eurocopter deal is the best bet for its air force. Despite last year's hue and cry over the lack of accountability and integrity in buying the  Eurocopter Cougar EC725 helicopter, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said today the choppers are the best choice to replace the ageing Nuri. He  said the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had cleared the inquiry process on the proposed purchase of the Eurocopter Cougars. "There's no doubt that the Defence Ministry and the Royal Malaysian Air Force  want that particular aircraft and the government is satisfied," Najib said. "The integrity of the whole process cannot be questioned. So it is now a question of affordability." He was speaking at a news conference after  witnessing the signing of several memoranda and contracts between the government and defence industry companies in conjunction with Lima 2009. The Eurocopter Cougar EC725 was one of four aircraft types shortlisted by RMAF to replace the Nuri. The other three were the Sikorsky S92, Agusta Westland EH-101 Merlin and the Russian-made Mil Mi-17 Hip. Some quarters have claimed that the EC725 is a 40-year old aircraft redeveloped and refitted and given a new name. When the issue was raised in Parliament last year,  the then deputy Defence Minister Abu Seman Yusop received a beating from Pakatan Rakyat MPs  when he openly conceded that the multi-billion ringgit military helicopters did not undergo any physical inspection. After the PAC cleared the deal, DAP leader Lim Kit Siang accused the government of making a fool out of Malaysians, saying that the PAC inquiry was a whitewash and tender procedures were not followed. Lim alleged that the PAC had undermined its own credibility by claiming that the tender procedure and  technical aspects of the Eurocopters were aboveboard and professionally carried out when it was otherwise. In defending the Eurocopter deal yesterday, Najib said:  "We will have to work out the financing capability and affordability. It is a very high performance helicopter. "It is the best performing helicopter of its class; so let's not get involved in this (argument on the choice). Whatever happened in the past, it was all politically motivated."