KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has received the green light from the attorney general to charge three individuals — two former high-ranking Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) officers and a civilian — in connection with various corruption and money laundering offences.
The high-profile prosecution involves former Army chief Tan Sri Hafizuddeain Jantan and his wife Salwani Anuar, as well as former chief of Armed Forces Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaafar, the MACC said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The MACC would also like to inform that investigations involving two other senior MAF officers are currently at the final stage, and the investigation papers will be submitted to the deputy public prosecutor in the near future for further action," the commission said.
Hafizuddeain and Salwani will each face four charges under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA), to be brought before the Kuala Lumpur Special Corruption Court on Thursday (Jan 22), the statement read.
On top of that, Hafizuddeain will face two additional charges in the Shah Alam Special Corruption Court on Friday (Jan 23), while Salwani will be charged with another count in the Jertih Sessions Court in Terengganu on Monday (Jan 26).
As for Mohd Nizam, the MACC said he will be charged on Friday (Jan 23) in the Kuala Lumpur Special Corruption Court with two counts under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for alleged abuse of power involving the Armed Forces Welfare Fund (TKAT), one count of criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of the Penal Code, and one count under Section 165 of the Penal Code.
The decision to prosecute comes after weeks of investigations into alleged irregularities in military procurement.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said last week that at least three senior officers were expected to face charges once investigations have been completed.
Hafizuddeain and his two wives were previously detained over alleged corruption linked to procurement tenders. The former Army chief, whose promotion to chief of Defence Forces was put on hold pending investigations, later submitted a request for early retirement effective Jan 1.
The MACC has since seized RM11.4 million in assets from residences linked to him, including RM4.4 million in cash, RM1.4 million in foreign currency, 26 luxury watches valued at RM2.3 million, jewellery, gold plates and a Range Rover SVR.
Several other officers are also being investigated under Sections 16 and 23 of the MACC Act, with seizures including RM1.3 million in cash, RM721,000 in foreign currencies, vehicles and frozen accounts containing RM4.7 million.
Currently, Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain is serving as acting chief of Armed Forces, following Mohd Nizam's mandatory retirement.
The Armed Forces Council is now in the process of recommending a permanent replacement to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
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