THE Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has announced decisive measures to tackle all forms of corruption, abuse of power, and breaches of integrity within the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), with Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin pledging that accountability will apply equally to every officer, from the highest-ranking generals to junior personnel.
“They will lose their honour as warriors if found guilty. Those facing criminal charges will be subject to the country’s justice system to ensure fair judgment,” Mohamed Khaled said during a briefing in the Dewan Rakyat on recent corruption and misconduct allegations within the ATM.
“For cases involving immoral activities, such as hedonistic culture and administrative malpractice, the military courts will adjudicate. What is clear is that the Ministry of Defence will protect no one,” he added.
The minister underlined the ministry’s full cooperation with authorities to ensure investigations are independent, transparent, and effective.
He disclosed that he had met with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki last week, reiterating that the ministry stands shoulder-to-shoulder with SPRM in rooting out corruption and misuse of power.
“The effort to restore the credibility and trust of the nation in the ATM is the MADANI Government and Defence Ministry’s top priority. Identifying and prosecuting those involved is just one part of the solution. It does not make the ministry inherently clean or infallible,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled also outlined a series of radical reforms announced in the Ministry’s 2026 New Year address to strengthen governance and integrity.
These include a comprehensive review and restructuring of all procurement procedures and the introduction of digitalisation to ensure transparency and integrity in projects involving public funds.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will be deployed more extensively to facilitate analysis and forecasting in procurement processes, including cost comparison, specifications, and efficiency benchmarking against international standards, while also assessing officer competence.
The ministry will also establish a Board of Integrity and Trust to guide improvements in ethical conduct and implement an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework to strengthen oversight and sustainability.
“All these initiatives aim to achieve three key objectives: eliminate opportunities for corruption and abuse, enhance operational efficiency and risk detection, and ensure the ministry operates at the highest standards, driven by advanced technology and embedded in sustainability,” Mohamed Khaled said.
He assured that despite recent scandals involving senior officers, Malaysia’s national defence system remains robust, operational, and uncompromised.
“All delayed procurement processes will be coordinated with the Ministry of Finance so that the ATM can function as expected,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled urged the public and Members of Parliament to exercise fairness in criticism, reminding them that the service members of the ATM continue to serve with dedication, often under immense pressure.
“Yes, the ATM is not perfect. There will always be room for improvement. But the misconduct of a few does not represent the institution as a whole. Corruption and misconduct are not synonymous with the ATM or the national defence system,” he stressed.
He called on all citizens to recognise the sacrifices of military personnel who endure harsh conditions at borders and seas, often leaving behind families, in service to the nation.
“The peace and security we enjoy today are the result of the relentless dedication and toil of our warriors, whose efforts often go unseen and unacknowledged,” Mohamed Khaled added. - January 28, 2026
