No Link Between Top Military Retirements And Macc Probe Says Defence Minister

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Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (centre), inspects preparations for the Malaysian Armed Forces’ (ATM) Operasi Murni in facing the Northeast Monsoon at the Kem Kementah, Kuala Lumpur. - NSTP/EIZAIRI SHAMSUDINKUALA LUMPUR: The retirement of the armed forces chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, and the director of military intelligence Lieutenant-General Datuk Mohd Razali Alias, is unrelated to an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this when asked to comment on the retirement of the two individuals and whether it was linked to Op Sohor, which saw several senior military officers detained in August on suspicion of involvement in a smuggling syndicate.
He quashed claims of any links to the case.
"It has nothing to do with the investigation," he said briefly when contacted.
An official source told the New Straits Times that the armed forces chief is scheduled to begin his leave on Jan 1, 2026, in line with the mandatory retirement age of 60.
The source added that this will give others with more service time the opportunity to lead the armed forces and shape its direction.
Khaled was previously reported as saying that both individuals would retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.
Nizam turns 60 on Aug 3 next year while Razali will turn 60 on Dec 16 next year.
It was reported by a news portal that Nizam and Razali would no longer serve in the military, with the rumours surfacing several months after the Op Sohor investigation.
In August, the MACC detained five senior military officers, including two from the Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation (MDIO), allegedly involved in a drug distribution syndicate.
The MACC said the suspected officers allegedly leaked information on security and enforcement agency operations over the past five years.
The suspects had facilitated the entry of contraband worth about RM5 million a month from neighbouring countries. - NST

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