We don’t need the costly Sealegs.
I read with trepidation the statement by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad
Zahid Hamidi that Malaysia will be the first nation in the world to own
the “Amphibious Sealegs”. (Saturday 21st November)
I don’t know what is the big deal about being the first to purchase such
costly crafts but the Minister need to be informed that it well known
that Sealegs have been around for some time and some foreign governments
has already purchased it.
We should not overlook the fact that the boat is not fully amphibious.
Unlike other amphibious crafts such as hovercrafts, the Sealeg is not an
all-terrain vehicle. Their land transport capability is limited to
proper, hard and relatively smooth terrain.
By virtue of its wheel system, the craft is not suitable for marshes,
muddy beaches, swamps, soft sandy beaches, rocky beaches or soft soil
which characterise most of our sea, rivers and lakes. Therefore the
amphibious capability is very limited and in many cases useless.
I would be very sceptical therefore that the so-called amphibious
capability of the boat will be of any use to our special forces who
definitely require landings in inhospitable terrains during their
operations.
If the Sealegs are purchased for either the civilian or military
applications, I am afraid that in most cases the water craft can only be
used in its water-borne mode. In that case the amphibious capability will
become white elephants. These same water-borne functions and roles could
be easily and cheaply carried out using normal boats which can be
purchased for a fraction of the cost of the Sealegs.
The Sealeg is thus great as rich men’s toys but out of place in any
government agency.
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