EXCLUSIVE | Three military special forces personnel are still serving former defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein as escorts, according to sources.

Sources in the Armed Forces and Defence Ministry told Malaysiakini that two of these officers are with the Navy's special operation forces (Paskal).

The two officers are aged 37 and 41, and are still on active duty. They are supposed to serve in the armed forces until 2020 and 2021 respectively.

Sources claim that Hishammuddin also has a third armed forces escort, a commando, still serving him.

Details about the third escort are scant, but sources claimed the commando was an individual seen in a group photo Hishammuddin tweeted this week.

The 41-year-old Paskal officer, meanwhile, was photographed accompanying the former minister on June 30.

The three of them have reportedly been attached to Hishammuddin since he became defence minister in 2013.

A source in the armed forces said the trio were supposed to have ceased serving Hishammuddin after the Pakatan Harapan government took over.

However, the source claimed the escorts are now pulling double pay from both Hishammuddin and the Armed Forces.

"They are Armed Forces, they can't simply work for anyone but they are working with Hishammuddin, not just part-time, but full-time," the source said.

Hishammuddin has thus far not responded to requests for comment on whether the trio is still serving him.

Current Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu later said that a probe into the matter has been ordered, and that appropriate action would be taken if any breach of any current practices or regulations is found.

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