PUTRAJAYA: Four senior Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) officers will be charged over their alleged involvement in a smuggling syndicate dealing in contraband, including drugs and cigarettes, uncovered under Ops Sohor, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner said the deputy public prosecutor had agreed to prosecute the officers following the completion of the investigation.
“In the case of Ops Sohor, which involved the arrest of 11 individuals – five senior military officers and six civilians – investigations have been completed and referred to the DPP.
"The decision is that four of the senior officers will be charged in court,” he told a press conference here on Tuesday (Sept 9).
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Azam added that another officer’s case will be referred to the Defence Ministry (Mindef) for disciplinary action, which may include a court martial.
Earlier reports revealed that MACC had detained five officers from the Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation (MDIO), effectively crippling a smuggling syndicate allegedly run by senior army personnel in the south of the peninsula.
Among those also remanded under Ops Sohor were two journalists and a foreign woman.
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Of the six civilians under probe, Azam said no decision had been made yet on whether or not they would face charges.
He also stressed that MACC is working closely with MAF and Mindef to address concerns about information leaks that could compromise security.
"Any issues involving information leaks and security fall under our purview.
"We have held discussions with the MAF, and the Defence Minister along with the Armed Forces chief have extended full cooperation.
"It is important for the ministry to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” he said.
