The Defence Ministry has identified one of its senior officers who was allegedly involved in a conspiracy to malign a government leader in connection with the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

The officer has been relieved of official duties pending investigations.

Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) chief Azizan Ariffin said the military was conducting a probe into the alleged involvement of the officer, a colonel.

"Information supplied by the officer to blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin was false and it had never existed in our files," he said in a statement today.

Azizan said a military probe showed that the officer had made a personal choice in associating himself with an opposition leader, and it had nothing to do with the ATM.

He said an investigation into Raja Petra's claims would be conducted as soon as possible. To this end, a board of inquiry would be set up, he added.

"Further action on the part of the ATM will be based on the findings of the probe," said Azizan.

- Bernama