Agong describes corruption in armed forces as 'tip of the iceberg'

PARLIAMENT | Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has described the recent cases of corruption in the armed forces as merely the “tip of the iceberg.”

In his opening address in Parliament today, Sultan Ibrahim reminded MPs in the Dewan Rakyat that the culture of corruption must be fought till its end, describing the corrupt as “traitors to the country.”

“I’m disheartened to see such cases happening within our armed forces, up to the highest level. This is merely the tip of the iceberg.

“I’m certain there are many others out there, whether in the Immigration Department, amongst customs officials, the police… including those in this Dewan, to be hunted down, until they are found,” he said.

Sultan Ibrahim also recalled the time when he said he would come to Kuala Lumpur “to hunt down corruptors”, and said it looked like he had succeeded.

The king’s remark came following the arrest of a former army chief on Jan 7 over a military procurement project and the seizures of assets worth at least RM11.4 million at residences in Kuala Lumpur and Besut, Terengganu.

To date, the MACC has also detained a total of 23 individuals in relation to the case, recorded the statements of 30 witnesses, and frozen 75 bank accounts linked to the companies under investigation, amounting to RM32.5 million.

At the Umno general assembly last weekend, Defence Minister Khaled Nordin said his party was determined to rebuild the nation’s confidence in the security force, which he described as the backbone of national security.

He said serious efforts to eradicate graft amongst the armed forces were underway.

‘Fight corruption till its end’

Sultan Ibrahim, in his speech today, also urged the MACC to conduct investigations as urgently and thoroughly as possible, regardless of ranks and status.

He reminded the government to ensure that experienced judges are prepared to handle such cases, and for the court to prioritise these cases so they could be settled urgently.

“This culture of corruption must be fought till its end. The rakyat should report any form of corruption they see. Action should be taken against not only bribe-givers, but also those who receive bribes, and agents who are complicit in such actions.

“To all the MPs and all civil servants, you must remember that the roles you are given are a responsibility to the rakyat and country.

“If you abuse your power, misappropriate public funds, accept bribes, and are complicit in protecting those who are corrupt, then you are traitors to the country,” he stressed.

The Agong also addressed the need to strengthen laws related to democratic reforms, applauding the suggested reforms announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 4.

This includes limits on the prime minister’s term for a maximum of 10 years, separating the Attorney-General’s Chambers from the public prosecutor’s office, and introducing the Freedom of Information Act and a national ombudsman’s office.

Towards the end of his speech, he also reminded the MPs that debates and discussions in the Dewan Rakyat are not merely reflective of party politics, but also play a much more important role in determining the country’s future.

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