The senior armed forces officers recently arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for suspected involvement in a drug distribution syndicate have been suspended for the ongoing investigation, says defence minister Khaled Nordin.
Winding up the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Negara today, he gave his assurance that the armed forces’ intelligence operations remain unaffected due to compartmentalisation of information.
“All databases and strategic information are compartmentalised to prevent leaks of information.
“Internal safety audits are also continuously implemented to ensure the armed forces’ information system and security controls are truly free from weaknesses,” he said.
Khaled said the audits included background checks and security vetting of officers and personnel.
He was responding to Senators Salehuddin Saidin and Wan Martina Wan Yusoff, who had raised concerns about allegations that the arrested officers had leaked operational information to smugglers.
On Aug 13, an MACC source said the agency had busted a smuggling syndicate allegedly operated by senior armed forces officers in the country’s south.
The source said five senior officers and five civilians, including an Indonesian national, were arrested around the Klang Valley in an operation by MACC’s intelligence division and the Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad.
“The senior officers were from the armed forces’ intelligence division, including two former personnel from the same unit.
“They were assigned to monitor and curb smuggling activities but are believed to have colluded with the syndicate for the past five years, amassing more than RM3 million in bribes,” the source said.
Initial investigations found that the five senior officers were suspected to have facilitated the entry of contraband including drugs and cigarettes from neighbouring countries, worth about RM5 million a month.
