Johor Regent aids MACC probe on smuggling

The Star

9 hours ago

All against corruption: Azam (centre) and dignitaries with students at University Multimedia in Cyberjaya. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
CYBERJAYA: Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has been assisting the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) with information in its probe into a smuggling syndicate involving senior Armed Forces officers, says MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
He revealed that the Regent has been very cooperative and wants the issue eradicated.
'We have also received much information through his networking,' Azam said.
He confirmed that the case remains centred in the southern region, with 10 individuals remanded so far under Ops Sohor.
They include five senior Armed Forces officers, two ex-military personnel claiming to be 'journalists', a company manager, an administrative assistant with the Malaysian Medical Association and a foreign woman.
Azam clarified that the so-called journalists were actually social media operators employed by a company under investigation.
'From what we see, they acted more as enablers, leaking information to criminals involved in smuggling,' he said.
Azam indicated that the suspects are thought to have worked with both current and former Armed Forces officers who were apprehended during the operation.
'This should never have happened. Those entrusted with safeguarding the nation's security must not leak classified information. If proven, it cannot be taken lightly,' he stressed.
Azam said the suspects are believed to have leaked intelligence on enforcement operations to smugglers in exchange for bribes, with the illicit gains often stashed in cash.
Investigations also point to possible links with narcotics activities, which have been referred to the police's Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department.
'From what we know, this scheme has been going on for four to five years. If further evidence emerges, more individuals may be called in,' Azam said.
He added that MACC is collaborating closely with the Armed Forces, including the Chief of Defence Forces, to conduct a comprehensive investigation into corruption, money laundering, and military laws, which also encompasses provisions for court-martial.
Separately, Azam urged young Malaysians to be discerning in distinguishing between perception and reality when it comes to corruption, warning that social media often blurs the line between truth and misinformation.
'Perception is easy to accept, but reality is more difficult to digest. The challenge for today's generation is to evaluate and balance between what is mere perception and what is actual reality,' he said at the Anti-Corruption Student Convention here yesterday.
He noted that corruption has long been a threat to Malaysia's development, with today's cases becoming more complex and widespread.
Azam also cited a 2003 survey by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia that found 30% of university students were willing to accept bribes.
'Imagine where they are now, perhaps as civil servants, businesspeople, politicians or even criminals. If the mentality of society is to condone what is wrong, the country will head towards destruction,' he said.
Azam stressed that political will was key in fighting graft, warning that countries plagued by systemic corruption have eventually collapsed.
He praised Malaysia's current leadership for restoring the nation's standing internationally.
Azam expressed his gratitude to Multimedia University for collaborating on the anti-corruption convention.