KUALA LUMPUR: The upcoming retirements of Armed Forces Chief Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar and Military Intelligence head Leftenan Jeneral Datuk Mohd Razali Alias are unrelated to the ongoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation codenamed "Ops Sohor," says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
"It is not related (to the MACC investigation)," Khaled said when contacted on Saturday (Nov 22), dismissing speculation about any connection between the retirements and the high-profile probe, which has led to the arrest of several military officers alleged to be involved in a smuggling syndicate.
Mohd Nizam, who will turn 60 on Aug 3 next year, is expected to begin his leave on Jan 1, in line with the mandatory retirement age.
Mohd Razali is due to retire on Dec 16 next year.
Mohd Nizam was appointed Armed Forces Chief on Jan 31, while Mohd Razali became head of the Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation (MDIO) on Dec 1, 2023.
Speculation around their retirements followed the Ops Sohor probe, in which the MACC arrested ten people on Aug 13—including five senior military officers, two journalists (both former servicemen), and three civilians, one of whom is Indonesian.
The group allegedly leaked information about security movements to smuggling syndicates operating from the Straits of Malacca to Johor, in exchange for cash bribes.
The contraband smuggled into Malaysia included drugs, cigarettes and other goods from neighbouring countries, with an estimated value of RM5mil per month.
Investigations revealed the syndicate allegedly paid bribes of RM30,000 to RM50,000 to each officer for every successful smuggling run.
