FIVE ATM OFFICERS UNDER PROBE FOR INFO LEAK REMOVED FROM OPS ROLE - ADLY

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Five senior Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) officers arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in August for allegedly leaking military operational information to smugglers have been removed from all operational duties. 

Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the officers are currently assigned to their respective administrative headquarters pending investigations by both the ATM and relevant authorities.

“We are firm in ensuring the investigation is conducted fairly. If they are found guilty, legal action will be taken because our priority is integrity. However, if proven innocent, they will be reinstated to operational duties,” he said during question time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

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He was responding to a question from Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN-Ketereh) on the Defence Ministry’s damage control measures to restore public confidence following media reports about the sale of the country’s tactical security information by ATM officers to external parties.

Adly said the ministry is fully cooperating with the authorities and has also established an internal investigation board to look into the alleged information leaks. 

“To rebuild public trust, the ministry, through the MAF, continues to emphasise security awareness and procedural compliance, strengthen integrity units across all formations and services, and enhance education programmes on security, ethics and integrity among MAF personnel,” he said.

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In August, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar said that several ATM personnel arrested around the Klang Valley during the MACC’s special operation ‘Op Sohor’ were believed to have leaked information to smuggling syndicates operating in the Straits of Malacca and Johor waters.

-- BERNAMA