MINDEF STRENGTHENS PROCEDURES, GOVERNANCE TO CURB CORRUPTION AND ABUSE OF POWER

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) will review and restructure all procurement procedures and processes within its system, as part of five key frameworks for reforming the ministry’s procedures and governance.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said MINDEF will also establish an integrity and trust board, which will guide the ministry in all matters relating to integrity enhancement and the execution of responsibilities.

He added that the ministry will ensure the implementation of digitalisation to make technology a catalyst for transparency and integrity in all processes and projects involving government funds.

“In addition, artificial intelligence will be optimised to facilitate analysis and forecasting in procurement processes, including cost comparison, specifications and efficiency benchmarking with other countries. It will also help identify the competencies of serving officers.

“The ministry will also implement an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) framework in the governance of the ministry and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) to ensure governance gaps are addressed in line with the sustainability agenda,” he said during the ministerial briefing in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Mohamed Khaled said all these measures are being implemented to close off all avenues for corruption and abuse of power, improve service efficiency, and facilitate risk detection.

He added that the initiatives are also aimed at ensuring MINDEF has an operational system that is robust, driven by advanced technology, and developed within a framework of sustainability and resilience.

“Insya-Allah, this will not stop here. MINDEF will continue to explore more initiatives and opportunities that will further strengthen the credibility of the ministry and the MAF,” he said.

He also gave assurance that the ministry would not protect any party implicated in corruption or abuse of power, and emphasised that it will provide full cooperation to the authorities to ensure investigations are independent and transparent.

According to him, one of the government’s foremost priorities is to restore the credibility of the MAF and public confidence in it.

“This is the great responsibility of the Ministry of Defence – to restore integrity, regain public trust, and ensure national defence remains strong, clean, and respected,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled said that cases of immoral conduct, including hedonism and administrative misconduct, will be tried by the military court.

During the same session, he reiterated his assurance that the national defence system remains intact and fully operational, even as the MAF is currently facing several cases of corruption and abuse of power.

“There is no disruption to national defence operations. The readiness of our defence system is at its optimum level, while all delayed procurement processes will be coordinated with the Ministry of Finance to ensure MAF operations are not affected,” he said.

-- BERNAMA