PRELIMINARY investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission have revealed indications of an organised system of bribery involving officers within the Malaysian Army, as authorities intensify investigations into alleged corruption linked to military procurement contracts.
Sources said the commission is now focusing on uncovering the full extent of the alleged bribery network operating within the force, following evidence that more officers may have played roles in the scheme.
“The seven-day remand application involving the former army chief, who is also the main suspect in the case, is intended to investigate allegations that bribery payments were received in a structured and organised manner.
“MACC is also tracing the involvement of several other officers, indicating the existence of a wider corruption network within the agency’s procurement activities,” the source said.
Earlier, at the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court, Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah allowed the MACC to remand a former Malaysian Army chief, who holds the title Tan Sri, for seven days from yesterday until next Wednesday to assist investigations.
Two of his wives, who were also detained by the MACC, were separately remanded for three and six days respectively to assist with investigations into the same case.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, when contacted, confirmed the remand orders.
“The public is urged to give space to the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and not to make any speculation that could jeopardise the investigation process,” he said.
Earlier, the three suspects were brought to the Putrajaya Court Complex at 10.02am for remand proceedings to assist investigations into corruption involving a senior Armed Forces officer. They were seen wearing orange detainee attire and handcuffed upon arrival at the court premises.
In addition to the three individuals, a husband-and-wife pair who own a company were also remanded for seven days.
This brings the total number of individuals detained so far in the case to five.
All the suspects, aged between their 20s and 50s, were detained at about 3pm the previous day when they turned up to give statements at the MACC Putrajaya office.
The arrests followed weeks of MACC investigations into allegations of corruption involving Malaysian Army procurement tenders.
Following the detentions, the MACC also froze six bank accounts believed to belong to a former senior army officer and his family members as part of the probe.
Azam confirmed that a formal investigation paper has been opened under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 in relation to the case.
On Dec 23, MACC investigators visited the Defence Ministry to examine projects carried out through open tender procurement and procurement under the Army’s Responsibility Centre since 2023. The following day, three individuals were called in to have their statements recorded.
On Jan 6, the MACC obtained remand orders against 17 company directors aged between their 20s and 60s for five days until this Saturday, on suspicion of being involved in a cartel linked to Malaysian Army procurement tenders.
The arrests followed MACC investigations into 26 companies involved in army procurement tenders in the Klang Valley, Perak and Penang.
Preliminary findings indicate that the suspects are believed to have paid bribes to senior army officers in exchange for securing supply and maintenance contracts with the force.
Senior Director of the MACC Investigation Division Datuk Zainul Darus, who confirmed the remand of the 17 company directors, said they are being investigated under Section 16(b) of the MACC Act 2009. - January 9, 2025
