KUALA LUMPUR: Former Army Chief Jeneral Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan has submitted a letter to undergo early retirement, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Defence Minister said Muhammad Hafizuddeain submitted the letter through his lawyers on Monday (Jan 12).
"He has submitted the letter to retire early from the army, effective Jan 1.
"He did this so that we can begin the process of finding a new Armed Forces chief," he told reporters after his New Year address at Wisma Perwira on Monday (Jan 12).
Previously, it was announced that the Armed Forces Council's decision to appoint Muhammad Hafizuddeain as the Armed Forces chief had been postponed.
He was directed to go on leave to allow the authorities to conduct investigations into allegations over graft that involved him.
In the interim, the duties of the Armed Forces chief are being carried out by Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain, the Navy chief.
Mohamed Khaled said with Muhammad Hafizuddeain's decision to retire early, the post of Armed Forces chief is vacant.
"We will start the process to search for the new Armed Forces chief.
"Once the Armed Forces Council has chosen a candidate, then the name will be brought to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for his consent.
"The whole process will take time," he added.
It was previously reported that Muhammad Hafizuddeain and his two wives had been remanded in connection with investigations into a cartel linked to procurement tenders for the Army.
The top military officer was remanded for seven days. One of his wives was remanded for six days while the other was remanded for three days.
The trio arrived at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court at about 10am on Jan 8 for the remand application by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
It was previously reported that the former Army Chief and his wives were detained by the MACC on Jan 7.
They were detained after presenting themselves at the MACC headquarters here for statements into the ongoing probe involving military contract tenders.
An additional couple was also arrested earlier in the day for the same probe and had been remanded for seven days.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests when contacted.
He added that investigations into the matter are still ongoing.
"The MACC is committed to conducting investigations with integrity and professionalism," he said.
On Jan 6, the MACC secured a five-day remand order for 17 company directors suspected of operating a cartel to fix tenders for Army procurements.
