Former Malaysian Army Chief Detained in Widening Corruption Probe
The probe by MACC has drawn attention to cartel-like behaviour in defence tenders.
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A former chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces has been detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) along with his two wives as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in military procurement tenders.
The three were taken into custody on 7 January after presenting themselves at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to provide statements in connection with the probe, as confirmed by MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, according to a Malay Mail report.
They were brought to the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court today to obtain a remand order.
Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah granted the application, with the former army chief remanded for seven days while his two wives were remanded for three and six days each.
Earlier in the week, MACC also arrested and obtained a seven-day remand order for another married couple believed to be linked to the case, bringing the total number of individuals held in connection with the investigation to five.
The investigation centres on alleged corruption involving tender awards for Malaysian Army procurement contracts
MACC has expanded its inquiry since late December to include projects awarded through open tender processes and those managed by the Army’s Responsibility Centre.
Today (8 January), the former army chief and his spouses were brought to Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court for the MACC’s remand application. The trio appeared in standard detention attire and were escorted into the court complex by MACC officers.
The probe has drawn attention to alleged cartel-like behaviour in defence tenders, with MACC previously remanding 17 company directors suspected of involvement in such networks, The Edge reported.
The case is being investigated under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, and authorities are continuing to gather evidence as part of the broader military procurement corruption probe.
The accused’s appointment as Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces was postponed pending the investigation
According to a Sinar Harian report dated 31 December 2025, the implementation of the decision of the 631st Armed Forces Council Meeting regarding the appointment of the Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces was postponed.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that the army chief candidate was directed to go on leave to allow the authorities to carry out investigations into allegations that have been reported involving him.
“To ensure the continuity of top leadership within the Malaysian Armed Forces, the duties of the Chief of the Armed Forces will be carried out in an acting capacity by Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain, in his role as Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
“This acting appointment is in line with the announcement made on 27 December,” he said in a statement.
On 27 December, Mohamed Khaled was reported as saying in a statement that the accused army chief would go on leave with immediate effect to allow the authorities to conduct investigations into certain allegations that had previously been reported.
Previously, the media reported that the MACC had initiated investigations into several projects involving the Malaysian Army since 2023.
Yang Di-Pertuan Agong says army chief must set a good example
The King, Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, said in a Facebook post that an army chief must set a good example in cultivating clean and responsible governance in the force, adding that corruption remains the “biggest threat” to its credibility.
He also stated that any form of abuse of power or misappropriation would not be tolerated.
“I also hope that the army will continue to earn the public’s respect and confidence as a professional institution free from corruption, in its role in safeguarding national sovereignty and security,” he said after granting an audience with the newly appointed army chief, General Dato’ Azhan bin Hj Md Othman.
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