More than 100,000 Armed Forces personnel declare assets amid corruption push [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 100,904 armed forces personnel have declared their assets as the military tightens oversight of high-risk positions and strengthens safeguards against corruption and misconduct.

Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman told the New Straits Times that asset declarations had reached 97.53 per cent, while personnel in high-risk positions, including those involved in procurement, equipment specifications and financial management, would face closer monitoring.

The measures come amid heightened scrutiny of the armed forces following controversies earlier this year, including corruption cases involving senior military officers and allegations of immoral activities at military camps, which prompted internal investigations.

Earlier this year, former armed forces chief Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar was charged with abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and bribery, while former army chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafiz-uddeain Jantan and his wife were charged with money laundering.

Also in the dock were former Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation chief Lieutenant-General Datuk Mohd Razali Alias and Joint Forces Headquarters chief of staff Major-General Datuk Mohamed Fauzi Kamis, who were charged with criminal breach of trust over an unauthorised welfare fund investment.

"Asset declaration in the armed forces is given serious attention. It's a true manifestation of honesty and trustworthiness.

"We have achieved 97.53 per cent, involving 100,904 officers and personnel," said Malek.

"I have also redeclared my assets after being appointed armed forces chief. All service personnel, senior officers and unit commanders were required to declare their assets.

"My KPI (key performance indicator) is that by Sept 16, all commanders, from the unit level up to the highest level, will have declared their assets," he said in an exclusive interview with the New Straits Times for the 93rd Armed Forces Day.

Malek said the 2026-2030 Anti-Corruption Action Plan had been implemented, while the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Plan was being developed to strengthen governance and corruption prevention.

He said officers holding high-risk positions would be reviewed within 18 months, with commanders and senior officers assessing their suitability and effectiveness in the posts.

"If they are no longer suitable, they will be transferred.

"But if they are effective and still required based on their subject matter expertise, commanders can recommend that they remain in the position, subject to the highest level of integrity monitoring."

He said the approach was to ensure officers in sensitive positions remained under continuous scrutiny, rather than relying solely on fixed-term rotations.

He said governance compliance would be continuously monitored by the Defence Ministry's Integrity Unit and governance monitoring units at the respective service headquarters.

These include the inspector-general departments at the Armed Forces Headquarters and the army, navy and air force, alongside auditors and audit officers at field formations.

Malek added that checks and balances were further strengthened through the Malaysian Armed Forces Standard Management Audit, including unannounced audits.

"Governance involving assets, finances, security and human resources must remain transparent and comply with regulations, with every audit finding requiring immediate corrective action and improvements.

"A total of 105,536 officers and personnel, or 98.7 per cent of the total active workforce, have also completed the Anti-Corruption Pledge, while integrity modules have been conducted for 4,240 personnel at 26 training centres."

He said moral and spiritual development of personnel was also being strengthened, with character-building part of the effort.

He said this included the 3T module — Takhalli, Tahalli and Tajalli — which focuses on removing negative traits and practices, instilling good values and character and translating values into actions and exemplary conduct.

He said the armed forces also strengthened the Islamic Spiritual Division, formerly known as the Armed Forces Religious Corps (Kagat), by placing it under his purview to give it greater organisational weight.

"A dedicated cell has also been established to address the spiritual welfare of non-Muslim personnel according to their faiths.

"Kagat officers were exposed to strategic thinking and defence studies, including through greater participation in staff colleges, so that they can contribute beyond religious duties and bring a spiritual and ethical perspective to wider organisational and strategic matters.

"We do not want our religious officers to become only tok siak, tok bilal or imam.

"I want them to develop strategic thinking so they can contribute to building the armed forces, together with strong human capital grounded in spirituality."