How Malaysia’s military tender scandal is bringing ‘opaque’ defence deals to light
The detention of senior figures in the anti-corruption probe is ‘highly significant and rare’ in Malaysia’s defence history, analysts say
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has in recent weeks expanded its investigation into the Defence Ministry following a whistle-blower’s claim that documents showed large monthly deposits into accounts linked to a senior military officer and family members.
The case has also drawn unusually direct intervention from Malaysia’s king, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces.
In a rare statement issued on Wednesday after he met the newly appointed army chief, the monarch warned that corruption was “the main enemy” of the military’s credibility and again raised the issue of “middlemen” in defence dealings.
Investigators say they are looking into alleged payments made by contractors in exchange for lucrative projects. The initial findings indicate the suspects “are believed to have paid bribes to a senior army officer in exchange for securing supply and maintenance projects”, according to MACC.