Smuggling syndicate involves senior army officers: MACC

Agency Misconducts

Posted by AI on 2025-08-25 14:57:42 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-25 19:23:37

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(Cyberjaya) The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has been assisting in its investigation into a smuggling syndicate involving senior Armed Forces officers.

Ten individuals have been detained so far, including five senior Army officers, two former military personnel, a company manager, an administrative assistant, and a foreign woman.

The syndicate allegedly leaks intelligence on law enforcement operations to criminals for bribes, and MACC has pointed out links with narcotics activities.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki praised the Regents cooperation and networking, stressing that such criminal leaks of classified information by those in positions of trust were extremely concerning.

Azam also warned of the dangers of casual acceptance of corruption, urging young Malaysians to develop critical discernment skills to distinguish truth from misinformation, emphasizing that corruption destroys nations.

He praised the current leadership for restoring Malaysia's standing in the world and urged university students, in particular, to reject corruption, citing a 2003 survey that found one-third of students were willing to accept bribes.

The case centers on the southern region and involves 10 people, including military personnel and social media enablers who leaked information to criminals.

If more evidence emerges, more people could be implicated.

Collaborating with the Armed Forces, MACC is investigating corruption, money laundering, and military laws, which could include court-martial provisions.

Separately, Azam urged young people to develop discernment skills to tell the difference between perception and reality about corruption, warning that social media often spreads misinformation and perception.

He stressed that corruption destroys countries and that political will is essential to fighting it, praising the current government for restoring Malaysia's reputation internationally.

Through the Regents networking, the MACC has received much valuable information regarding the smuggling syndicate and hopes to eradicate the issue.

The case involves a variety of suspects, including army personnel and a foreign woman, and MACC is investigating potential links to narcotics activities.

The smuggling scheme has been running for four to five years, according to MACC, which added that more suspects may be implicated if further evidence emerges.

The MACC is collaborating closely with the Armed Forces, including with the Chief of Defence Forces, to conduct a comprehensive investigation into corruption, money laundering, and military laws, which include provisions for court-martial.

Finally, Azam expressed his gratitude to Multimedia University for collaborating on the Anti-Corruption Student Convention and urged young people to reject corruption and develop critical thinking skills to separate fact from fiction.

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