KUALA LUMPUR: The recent arrest of 10 individuals, including five senior Malaysian Armed Forces officers, for suspected involvement in a smuggling syndicate was made possible as graft busters can now investigate without interference, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said there would be no cover-ups or compromise, stressing that any infiltration of security and defence bodies is disastrous for the country.
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“If you ask why these matters are only being exposed now, it’s because the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has the freedom to investigate. That’s the difference.
“Cases that have been delayed to the point where some can collect billions are investigated, and if there is a case, there will be prosecution.
“Whenever there are big cases, don’t defend them,” he said during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Aug 19).
Anwar said he has also informed the Armed Forces Chief to investigate the matter thoroughly, adding that it was also raised during an audience with the King.
“We will continue exposing more. This is a matter of national security, and there must be no compromise.
“Let’s not politicise things,” he added.
ALSO READ: Army officers in smuggling syndicate may have leaked military secrets, says MACC
The 10 suspects were detained last week for suspected involvement in a smuggling syndicate operating in the southern region of the peninsula.
The others remanded were two online portal journalists, a company manager, an administrative assistant at the Malaysian Medical Association, and a foreign woman.
The senior military intelligence officers are believed to have colluded with the syndicate, leaking operational details to avoid enforcement action.
The smuggled items included drugs, cigarettes and other goods from neighbouring countries, with an estimated value of RM5mil each month.
On a related matter, Anwar said anyone with evidence of wrongdoing should inform the authorities.
This includes cases like the attack on Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli’s son in Putrajaya on Aug 13, or the July 17 death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir in Papar, Sabah.
“We will not protect anyone. But let’s not use this as a political weapon,” he told Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), who asked about the arrests.
