KUALA LUMPUR: Newly appointed 31st Army Chief General Datuk Azhan Md Othman has called for calm and unity among army personnel as they carry out their duties to safeguard national security.
Stressing the importance of unity and discipline among army personnel, Azhan said that recent issues affecting the army were isolated in nature and did not involve the entire organisation.
“To all members of the army, I urge everyone to remain calm. I believe the situation can be managed.
“What occurred may only involve a small or isolated group.
“Nevertheless, we must remain united and continue to ensure national security,” he said at a press conference at Wisma Pertahanan yesterday.
Earlier, Azhan was conferred his rank in a ceremony officiated by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
Azhan, who was previously the Chief of Staff at the Armed Forces headquarters, was appointed to the post with effect from Jan 1, following the consent of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on Dec 1.
Highest honour: Azhan inspecting the main guard of honour during the 31st Army Commander’s parade at Wisma Pertahanan Square.
He succeeded Jeneral Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, who had been placed on leave on Dec 27 following a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into allegations linked to him.
On Dec 23, MACC officers were dispatched to the Defence Ministry to begin preliminary investigations into several projects involving the army from 2023 to the present.
Initial investigations revealed that between 2023 and 2025, there were 158 military procurement projects valued at more than RM500,000 each, while another 4,521 projects were worth below RM500,000.
On Dec 27, it was reported that the MACC carried out searches at the army office at the Defence Ministry as well as at the official residence of a senior military officer, whereby several high-value items, including luxury watches and handbags, were seized.
It was previously reported that Khaled said that he was aware of a police report regarding an alleged money-laundering case involving a senior military officer.
Earlier in his speech, Azhan expressed his appreciation to Sultan Ibrahim and the government for the trust placed in him.
He said that the welfare of army personnel and their families would continue to be prioritised under his leadership.
He called on members of the army personnel to unite and strengthen cohesion to improve their performance to ensure that the army continues to move forward as a professional, capable and trusted institution.
Azhan also said 2026 would be an important year for formulating and implementing various strategic initiatives, particularly those involving the army’s readiness and capabilities in defending the nation’s sovereignty.
Later, when speaking to reporters, Azhan said that integrity, transparent governance, and the inculcation of noble military values, would form the core pillars under his leadership.
Azhan was born in Muar, Johor, on Sept 4, 1969, and began his military career as an officer cadet in Sungai Besi in 1987 before being commissioned as Leftenan Muda in the Royal Malay Regiment on July 29, 1989.
He had previously held several key appointments, including commanding officer of the 24th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, commander of the Army Ready Battalion, commander of Malbatt 850-6 and commander of the 2nd Infantry Division.
