Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed today that certain foreign embassies in Kuala Lumpur were using members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) to obtain secret information on the country.

He said he would personally inform Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak about the discovery as leaking national secrets was a serious crime and stern action would be taken against those responsible.

"I will make an announcement soonest possible after meeting with the prime minister over the matter," he told reporters after the ministry's monthly assembly, in Kuala Lumpur, today.

Ahmad Zahid said based on investigation by the MAF's Intelligence Corps, the ministry believed that the irresponsible individuals were paid by the foreign embassies involved.

He said the ministry was also placing vital information classified under the Official Secrets Act 1972 under tighter control, to prevent anymore secret leaks, especially following the theft of two F-5E engines belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

He said the leaking of national secrets to foreign elements should not happen at all as it could threaten the credibility of public servants as well as harmony in the country.

"Since the theft of the jet engines and cases of leaking of secrets involving low-ranking personnel recently, we have been monitoring to ensure that every public servant handling classified information abide by the Act.

"We don't want any member of the armed forces, regardless of their rank, to be involved in selling national secrets...let's not be deceived into giving away the nation's secrets because of our own personal interest," he said.

Earlier, in his speech, Ahmad Zahid said public servants and MAF members should realise the importance of national security as central to the national mission of successful implementation of the national development plans.

He said if the country recovered from the economic downturn soon, the ministry would consider a new salary scale for MAF members and increasing their allowances, like what was being enjoyed by police personnel with their newly announced new salary scheme.

Ahmad Zahid also launched the Defence Ministry's toll-free line 1-800-222-700 for enquires, complaints and assistance, and the ministry's blood donation campaign.

He said the MAF, National Service trainees and agencies under the ministry  were the biggest contributor to the National Blood Bank last year, with 18,000 donors or five per cent of the total amount of blood donated.

Ahmad Zahid later received a courtesy call from Chief of Staff of the French Air Force, General Jean-Paul Palomeros, in his office at the ministry.

- Bernama