PSC may summon Defence Ministry, MDIO officials over military leak

New Straits Times

14 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Security is prepared to summon the Defence Ministry and the Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation (MDIO) to explain measures to prevent further incidents of armed forces officers colluding with syndicates.
PSC chairman and Ranau MP Datuk Jonathan Yasin said under current rules, the committee cannot summon agencies to testify on cases still being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) or police.
"However, we can call them to discuss strategies and direction to ensure such cases do not recur in the future," he told Berita Harian yesterday.
Jonathan said he would consult committee members on the proposal to summon Mindef and the MDIO director-general before making a decision.
Earlier, Tanah Merah member of parliament Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz, a PSC member and former deputy defence minister, suggested summoning military officials, particularly the MDIO director-general, to provide details on how the intelligence leak involving senior armed forces officers occurred.
Ikmal described the involvement of senior officers in leaking information to smugglers as alarming, saying it raised questions on whether other compromises had taken place.
"This is not just about patrol information in the south but also potentially sensitive details on issues like the South China Sea and military readiness.
"My concern is greater because those detained are senior officers of the MDIO, a key branch of the armed forces responsible for handling intelligence, both physically and digitally," he said.
One of the suspects, Ikmal said, was related to a former army chief.
He also asked for clarity on what counter-intelligence measures ministry and MDIO had taken to address the breaches once exposed.
Earlier reports said the MACC remanded 10 people, including senior military officers, as well as two journalists.
The suspects were detained in "Op Sohor" by the MACC's Intelligence Division and its Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad (ACTS) in the Klang Valley after a 12-month probe.
Preliminary investigations revealed the officers leaked operational military information to smugglers bringing in contraband, including drugs and cigarettes, worth about RM5 million a month.
They are believed to have received between RM30,000 and RM50,000 in bribes for each smuggling trip, amassing more than RM3 million over the past five years.