Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will hold a meeting with the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) next week to discuss efforts to clean up corruption and governance issues in the ministry.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stated that the meeting follows a recent commitment expressed by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. Azam emphasized that the MACC welcomes and supports the Defence Minister's statement on the need to address corruption issues and weaknesses in governance at the ministry.
'MACC will cooperate under Section 7(c) 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,' Azam said at a special press conference today. He mentioned that a courtesy call on the Defence Minister and the ministry's secretary-general next Wednesday will focus on discussing current issues and formulating a way forward for a comprehensive clean-up within the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).
Azam assured that MACC is ready to assist based on the results of investigations and information that has been gathered, as well as previous investigations contained in their data. The aim is to ensure that any weaknesses within MINDEF, especially issues involving procurement, can truly be rectified. Other issues mentioned by the Defence Minister are internal matters that can be resolved by the ministry itself, but MACC will focus on aspects of corruption, governance, and administrative improvements within MINDEF.
Responding to media questions, Azam did not rule out the possibility of more senior military officers being called up in two separate investigations, Op Parasit and Op Star. He noted that when investigations are carried out, many other matters may arise, and they will call in others who may be involved, but not at this time. The focus will remain on the investigations that have already begun, including those initiated on Oct 7 last year.
Azam stressed 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 involves allegations of bribes and abuse of power by a former Army chief, with investigations ongoing since Dec 23, 2025. Op Star involves allegations of bribes received by senior MAF officers from companies concerning procurement supply matters and misuse of Armed Forces Welfare Fund (TKAT), with investigations ongoing since Oct 7, 2025.