Kuala lumpur: Former Army Chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan has requested early retirement from the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), effective January 1, according to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. This request was communicated through Muhammad Hafizuddeain's lawyer, allowing the Armed Forces Council to begin the search for a new Chief of Defence Force (CDF).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamed Khaled stated that he had received a letter from Hafizuddeain's lawyer, indicating the intention to retire early from the Armed Forces, particularly the Army, effective January 1. This request allows the council to start the process of finding a replacement for the position. The Armed Forces Council had previously decided to appoint him as CDF, but the appointment was postponed due to an ongoing case involving him.
Mohamed Khaled mentioned that the CDF role is currently held in an acting capacity by Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri (Dr) Zulhelmy Ithnain. With the early retirement effective January 1, the CDF position is now officially vacant, enabling the Armed Forces Council to formally begin the nomination process for the top military post.
The Armed Forces Council will forward its recommendation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, for approval, a process that will take some time. On Thursday, a former Army chief was remanded for seven days, while his two wives were remanded for six and three days respectively from January 8, to assist investigations into a corruption case involving army procurement tenders.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) seized luxury assets worth over RM2.2 million following a search at a residence on the east coast, believed to be linked to the second wife of a former senior military officer detained in connection with the case. On December 23, MACC officers visited the Defence Ministry to investigate projects implemented through open tender procurement methods and procurements under the Army Responsibility Centre (PTJ).
The MACC stated that the investigation involves alleged systematic receipt of bribes, believed to be part of a broader corruption network, potentially involving several other officers.