KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition lawmaker has defended two army intelligence officers suspected of leaking information to smuggling syndicates.
Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN–Ketereh) said he personally knew two of the suspects as they reported to him.
“They claim there were five intelligence officers selling information when there were only two. I knew the two when they were junior lieutenants, and they reported to me,” he said.
“I am not sure how they are involved, but I firmly believe they are not involved at all,” he added on Wednesday (Oct 15).
He raised the issue during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.
Khlir, a retired army major general, said he was head of army intelligence between 2009 and 2018, including border security.
“I took care of our borders with Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore,” he said.
“I placed my men along the borders. It was me giving information to the Malaysian Anti‑Corruption Commission and to the police,” added Khlir.
Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Alice Lau then told him to proceed with his question.
He said he needed a long introduction, as not many knew who he was, drawing laughter.
“It has been more than two months and they have not been charged by the MACC,” he said.
“What wrong have they done?” he added.
Khlir said the current army intelligence chief and operational officers should be called to explain to an internal probe.
In August, the MACC detained 10 suspects believed to be linked to smuggling syndicates.
Those arrested included five Malaysian Armed Forces officers, among them former Army and Navy personnel serving as intelligence officers.
They allegedly leaked information to criminals engaged in smuggling, which also constituted a corruption issue.
The five arrested officers were mostly of the rank of lieutenant colonel, in addition to five civilians.
Defence Deputy Minister Adly Zahari assured Khlir that the ministry was carrying out an internal probe and working closely with the MACC.
He said the probe would determine if the leaks involved sensitive intelligence or operational information.
“We do not divulge the identities of those we have called, as this is an internal probe.
We have worked with the MACC throughout their investigative process,” he added.
He said the ministry is taking the approach that the suspects are innocent till proven guilty.
As such, he said they have been reassigned and will return to their units if cleared.
He assured a thorough probe, as it involves public trust and integrity within the armed forces.
“We must have confidence in the process and will take stern action,” he said.
“If they are wrong, they are wrong,” he added.
“If they are not wrong, they will return to operational duties, as this concerns integrity,” he said.
