KUALA LUMPUR: Security measures, including the tightening of information security protocols, are being implemented following reports that several Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) officers had sold tactical information, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
In a written Parliamentary reply Tuesday (Nov 11), the Defence Minister said that the arrest of the Armed Forces officers was an isolated case and does not reflect the integrity and professionalism of the MAF as a whole.
"The matter is being comprehensively addressed through an internal investigation by the Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security authorities.
"Appropriate disciplinary and legal action will be taken against any individual found to be involved," he said in reply to a question from Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN-Ketereh), who asked what steps the ministry had taken to reassure Asean countries, particularly Thailand and Cambodia, following recent media reports regarding the sale of tactical information.
On Aug 13, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission arrested ten people, including five senior Armed Forces officers, two journalists who were former servicemen, and three civilians, one of whom is an Indonesian national.
The detained officers comprised a colonel, three lieutenant colonels, and a captain. Three of them were active intelligence officers with the Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation (MDIO), while the two journalists were also former intelligence officers with the same body.
They are suspected of leaking information on the movement of security personnel to smuggling syndicates operating from the Straits of Malacca to Johor, allegedly in exchange for cash bribes.
The contraband smuggled into Malaysia included drugs, cigarettes, and other goods from neighbouring countries, valued at around RM5mil per month.
Investigations conducted over 12 months revealed that the syndicate allegedly paid bribes ranging from RM30,000 to RM50,000 to each officer for every successful smuggling run.
To ensure that the confidence of Asean countries, including Thailand and Cambodia, is not undermined, the Defence ministry has implemented several measures.
"These include strengthening information security controls by reviewing procedures for handling tactical information and closely monitoring the use of communication systems and technology.
"This also involves enhancing bilateral and regional intelligence and military cooperation, providing assurances that the reliability and integrity of the Armed Forces remain intact, and conducting diplomatic and military engagement sessions with Asean counterparts to clarify the situation and reaffirm Malaysia's commitment to safeguarding information security," he said.
