FORMER armed forces chief Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaafar claimed trial at the Sessions Court today to four counts of corruption involving more than RM4.7 million.
Nizam, 60, was charged with two counts of abusing his position for gratification, one count of criminal breach of trust, and one count of accepting valuable items without consideration.
The charges were read before Judge Rosli Ahmad.
On the first and second charges, Nizam, who was then the assistant chief of staff (personnel services) and Armed Forces Welfare Fund (TKAT) executive committee chairman, is accused of using his position for gratification totalling RM552,481.90.
He allegedly committed the offences on June 24, 2024, at the Defence Ministry, by allegedly appointing several companies linked to his interests to supply Hari Raya gift items to TKAT last year.
The contracts involved the supply of kain pelikat and batik cloth, bath towels, backpacks, and multifunctional folding pliers, with a combined value exceeding RM3.5 million.
Both charges were framed under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
On the third charge, Nizam, in his capacity as assistant chief of staff and chairman of the TKAT investment committee, is accused of committing criminal breach of trust involving RM3 million belonging to the fund.
He allegedly committed the offence on Oct 4, 2024, when he dishonestly misappropriated the funds by making an additional investment in Precious Amber International Bhd without approval from the committee.
The charge was under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum 20 years' jail, whipping, and a fine.
On the fourth charge, Nizam is accused of accepting RM200,000 without consideration from Aspen Red Sdn Bhd director Wan Shafie Abdul Rashid in March last year.
The accused, who was then the armed forces chief, allegedly accepted the money with knowledge that the individual had dealings connected to his official duties at Wisma Transit Kuala Lumpur.
The offence falls under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both. – January 23, 2026
