PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is expected to have discussions with the Defence Ministry next Wednesday (Jan 21).
It will be part of efforts to strengthen governance and address corruption issues related to military procurement and other matters.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the visit aims to discuss improvements in procurement processes, governance practices and corruption prevention measures within the ministry.
"I will meet Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and the ministry secretary-general next week.
"It is aimed at fostering cooperation and enhancing integrity, governance and transparency, especially in procurement-related matters,” he told a press conference at MACC headquarters on Thursday (Jan 15).
He said discussions would also focus on the way forward in efforts to “clean up” the Armed Forces, with the MACC ready to assist based on findings from its investigations, information gathered, as well as data from previous probes.
"We are ready to assist based firstly on the findings of our investigation, and secondly on the information we have gathered as well as previous probes in our data, to be discussed in order to rectify existing weaknesses in the ministry, particularly issues involving procurement and related matters,” he added.
Previously, Azam welcomed announcement by the Defence Ministry’s sweeping overhaul of its anti-corruption plan to curb misconduct and abuse of power.
He described the move as an appropriate step for a government agency, particularly following MACC investigations into alleged misconduct involving senior military officers.
On Monday, Mohamed Khaled said Malaysians can expect sweeping reforms within the Defence Ministry – particularly involving the Armed Forces – as part of a comprehensive effort to rebuild public trust in the military.
He said the reforms include stricter discipline, the use of digitalisation and artificial intelligence to improve governance and transparency.
