Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is set to request additional data from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) to advance its probe into the alleged involvement of three active and two retired senior military officers in a smuggling syndicate operating in the southern region.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stated that the information, which includes confidential reports, is anticipated to assist in the investigation of activities suspected to be taking place predominantly in the waters of the Straits of Melaka off Melaka and Johor. He expressed gratitude to the Chief of Defence Force for supporting the MACC’s efforts and aiding the investigation.

Tan Sri Azam Baki mentioned that the officers, both from the army and navy, were apprehended during operations named ‘Op Sohor’ on suspicion of facilitating the smuggling operations. The focus of the inquiry is to identify the role of these individuals as ‘enablers’ in the illicit activities.

The media previously reported that 10 people, including the mentioned military officers and an Indonesian national, were detained in the Klang Valley as part of ‘Op Sohor’. The MACC Intelligence Division, in partnership with the Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad (ACTS), executed the operations, which commenced at 6.30 am.

The suspects were presented at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court for a remand application under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009, as part of the ongoing investigation process.