PUTRAJAYA, Jan 15 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will hold a meeting with the Defence Ministry (MINDEF) next week to discuss efforts to clean up corruption and governance issues in the ministry.
Its Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the meeting follows a recent commitment expressed by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said the commission welcomes and supports Khaled's statement on the need to address corruption and governance weaknesses within MINDEF.
“MACC will cooperate under Section 7c of the MACC Act 2009, which mandates or authorises MACC to provide advice and also conduct reviews relating to any weaknesses, governance issues and the like,” he said during a special media conference today.
Azam added that a courtesy call on Khaled and the MINDEF secretary-general on Wednesday (January 21) will focus on two main matters: discussing current issues and formulating a way forward for a comprehensive clean-up within the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).
“MACC is ready to assist based on, firstly, the results of our investigations and, secondly, information that we have gathered as well as previous investigations contained in our data, to be discussed so that this time, any weaknesses within MINDEF — especially issues involving procurement and the like — can truly be rectified,” he said.
Other issues raised by Khaled are internal matters that the ministry can resolve, but MACC will focus on corruption, governance, and administrative improvements within MINDEF.
“That is our responsibility, not only because I am making a courtesy call, but because it is our duty to assist the government in correcting weaknesses and mistakes,” Azam said.
Responding to media questions, he did not rule out the possibility of more senior military officers being called up in two separate investigations: Op Parasit and Op Star.
“In relation to these two cases, I am not denying that we will call in others who may be involved. When we investigate, many other matters will arise. We will call them, but not at this time,” Azam said.
The issues may differ from those currently under investigation, so MACC will focus on the ongoing investigations, including those initiated on October 7 last year.
“After both cases are concluded, we will then begin calling others to give statements or assist in the investigation,” he said.
Azam noted that the cases are sensitive as they involve public funds within MINDEF and high-ranking officers, making them among the important cases that need to be resolved swiftly.
Op Parasit refers to allegations of bribery and abuse of power by a former Army chief, involving suspicious funds entering several accounts in amounts ranging from RM40,000 to several hundred thousand ringgit. Investigations have been ongoing since December 23 last year.
Op Star refers to allegations that several senior MAF officers solicited and accepted bribes from companies in relation to procurement matters involving the Armed Forces Welfare Fund (TKAT) and MINDEF.
They are also suspected of misusing TKAT funds for personal interests and activities unrelated to the fund. Investigations into the case have been ongoing since October 7, 2025.
