Malaysia Army chief on leave pending MACC probe, Navy chief named acting Armed Forces chief after Nizam retires

Malaysia Army chief on leave pending MACC probe, Navy chief named acting Armed Forces chief after Nizam retires



The Defence Ministry today instructed Army chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan to go on leave with immediate effect to allow investigations into certain allegations. — Bernama pic

Saturday, 27 Dec 2025 1:57 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 — The Defence Ministry today instructed Army chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan to go on leave with immediate effect to allow investigations into allegations of money laundering.

The ministry said the administrative measure was taken to ensure the probe proceeds smoothly without any conflict of interest, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said in a statement.

He also announced the immediate appointment of Navy commander Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain as acting Malaysian Armed Forces chief following the retirement of General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, who reached the mandatory retirement age.

Khaled said Zulhelmy will assume the duties of Armed Forces chief with immediate effect.


The ministry expressed its highest appreciation for Mohd Nizam’s service, leadership and contributions during his tenure.

It also conveyed its wishes for the smoothness of his retirement affairs.

Bernama reported that activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, alleged a senior Armed Forces officer was involved in money laundering.


Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that a probe under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 is in progress.

MACC officers visited the Defence Ministry last Tuesday, focusing their checks on procurement projects carried out through open tenders under the Army’s Pusat Tanggungjawab (PTJ).

The investigation, which began on December 23, found 158 projects worth more than RM500,000 and 4,521 projects below that threshold between 2023 and 2025.

Preliminary findings showed several companies repeatedly secured high-value contracts, raising concerns.

As of December 24, MACC had recorded statements from three individuals to assist the investigation.