Eurocopter scandal - PM admits mistake - malaysiakini

Malaysiakini's report:

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has apologised for his mistake when citing the cost of the Eurocopter helicopters purchase, but added that the dispute over the figures is “academic” as any decision towards buying the aircraft will see further negotiations for a final price.

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On Tuesday, Abdullah had said that the purchase price for the 12 Cougar EC725 helicopters was RM1.7 billion, and not RM2.3 billion as reported earlier.

He said today that the price that he should have quoted was RM1.607 billion, but because he was informed the figure was RM1.67, he had decided it should be rounded up.

“The price yesterday when I issued the statement was RM1.7 billion. That was a mistake. I apologise. The officials put it at RM1.67. I said we can round up the figure to RM1.7. That was what I said and you took that figure,” he told a press conference in Parliament today - malaysiakini.com

The Malaysian Insider reports:

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi admitted he had made an error when he spoke of the package price of the much-disputed Eurocopter helicopter deal and which had caused an uproar among Opposition lawmakers in Parliament.

Abdullah who is also the Defence Minister said he was informed by officials in the Defence Ministry this morning on his slip.

The correct figure is RM1.604 billion, but he had thought it was RM1.67 billion and had rounded it up to RM1.7 billion.

"I apologise for my mistake," he said.

Asked to respond to the opposition's calls for him to explain the price discrepancy inside the Dewan Rakyat, Abdullah said it was unnecessary as he had already announced that the deal would be deferred to a later date.

He pointed out that the price would be renegotiated again as and when the government finally decides to purchase the helicopters.

"This is academic," he said - Malaysian Insider