THE Ministry of Defence will strengthen the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence in the governance systems of the Malaysian Armed Forces as part of a comprehensive effort to prevent corruption and abuse of power from recurring.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the approach would go beyond taking action against individuals and instead focus on systemic improvements to processes and governance structures within both the armed forces and the ministry.
“Among the key measures to be implemented include full digitalisation of procurement processes, the use of AI for analysing prices and defence asset requirements, and the application of Environmental, Social and Governance principles in the management of the ministry and the armed forces.
“Through digitalisation, we can track procurement carried out at various levels and identify whether contracts are repeatedly awarded to the same company or to companies with related ownership,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kota Tinggi, was speaking after officiating the Defence Ministry’s Kampung Angkat Madani programme at Kampung Tuan Seh in Tanjung Sedili on Sunday.
He said the application of artificial intelligence would enable the ministry to assess whether procurement prices are reasonable by comparing them with practices in other countries, while also detecting suspicious patterns or tendencies in decision-making processes.
“AI can help determine whether an item is appropriate or not, whether it is overpriced, and whether there is a certain tendency in the procurement process,” he said.
He added that the ministry is also considering the establishment of a special unit to handle complaints and conduct continuous internal monitoring to ensure that preventive measures are genuinely effective.
Meanwhile, commenting on the appointment of General Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman as the 24th Chief of Defence Forces, Mohamed Khaled said the appointment comes at a challenging time and requires close cooperation between the leadership of the armed forces and the ministry.
“I believe the new Chief of Defence Forces will work together with the ministry in efforts to restore the image and reputation of the Malaysian Armed Forces, while ensuring that integrity and good governance continue to be strengthened.
“Efforts to reinforce integrity and governance within the armed forces are an ongoing process that requires continuous improvement to ensure public confidence in the nation’s defence institutions remains intact,” he said. - January 31, 2026
