MACC said investigations involving two other senior armed forces officers were currently in the final stage, with investigation papers to be submitted to the prosecutors’ office soon for further action.
The MACC has seized and frozen over RM52 million (US$12.82 million) in cash, gold, luxury goods and funds from more than 80 bank accounts in two separate cases linked to alleged corruption in army procurement contracts.
To date, a total of 23 people, including armed forces personnel and civilians, have been arrested.
The government has pledged to crack down on corruption and misbehaviour in the defence sector following recent scandals.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim launched the National Defence Industry Policy (NDIP) aimed at restoring trust, strengthening governance and institutions in the sector and building more local industrial capability.
“As we all know, when it comes to defence, it’s been a place for ‘songlap’ (embezzlement) and ‘sakau’ (stealing), where corruption in the defence sector was not merely a financial issue, but a direct threat to national security,” he said, as reported by news outlet Malay Mail.
Anwar said the policy was long overdue in light of recent scandals, although the integrity of the vast majority of personnel remained intact.
Earlier, he had announced that all procurement decisions by the Malaysian armed forces and the police linked to the MACC’s probe would be temporarily frozen until they fully comply with related rules.
Anwar said the government would also review all other procurement decisions that have been approved or are yet to be concluded.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-army-chief-hafizuddeain-jantan-corruption-macc-5875236
