KUALA LUMPUR: A soldier arrested with a pistol, dozens of bullets and liquid suspected to be ketum at Sungai Besi Camp last month is undergoing a six-month transition period before retiring from service.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said checks showed that the man, who is in his 30s, was in the final phase of his military career before fully transitioning to civilian life.
“He is indeed in the transition period before retirement. This means it is time for him to retire and undergo the transition from being a soldier to a civilian.
“He is currently going through the six-month transition period,” he told reporters after launching the 2026/2027 Tabung Pahlawan campaign on Monday (Oct 12).
Asked whether the seized pistol and ammunition belonged to the army, Mohamed Khaled said he did not have detailed information on the matter.
Meanwhile, Cheras OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Rosdi Daud confirmed that the suspect had been charged at the Jalan Duta Court here on Oct 8.
He said the charge was brought after the investigation papers were completed and submitted to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office.
“He was charged under Sections 8 and 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960,” he said.
It was reported that the soldier was arrested at a vehicle parking area at Sungai Besi Camp on Sept 29 after an inspection uncovered a firearm, ammunition and liquid believed to be ketum.
Further checks found that the suspect had a criminal record with two drug-related cases and one criminal case.
