KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 — Corruption and intelligence leaks within Malaysia’s security agencies are only now being exposed because the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is being allowed to act independently.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said insider threats and abuse of power in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and other agencies had long existed, but are only now coming to light due to stronger enforcement efforts.
“This matter has been identified since 2020. If asked why it is only now being exposed, it is because today, we allow the MACC full freedom to act. That is the difference.
“Old cases that were previously delayed, some of which may have been covered up or resisted, are now being reviewed and investigated. If there is a case, there will be prosecution.
“But the question is, why now? Because we are exposing them now, we are not covering them up. Why not in 2020? Ask the leadership at that time why they failed to expose them,” he said.
Anwar urged all parties not to politicise the issue, adding that action will be taken without fear or favour should there be evidence of wrongdoing in cases such as the attack on Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli’s son or the bullying of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
“This is a matter of national security, and I want to stress that here,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar was responding to Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who had raised concerns over recent security breaches, including the arrest of two Chinese nationals caught flying drones over the Defence Ministry’s restricted zone, and reports of a smuggling syndicate involving senior MAF officers.
Fadhli also claimed that the attack on Rafizi’s child could have been an attempt to silence the exposure of a financial scandal.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also outlined measures to strengthen transparency in defence procurement, pointing to the use of open tenders and government-to-government (G2G) deals with Turkiye, South Korea, Norway, and Italy. He said these cut out inflated commissions and ensured accountability.
Anwar also revealed that the long-delayed Littoral Combat Ship project is now 86 per cent complete and scheduled for delivery this year.
“Naval Strike Missiles from Norway will arrive this August, unmanned aerial systems from Turkiye by December, and maritime patrol aircraft from Italy in June 2026,” he said.
Anwar further pledged to expand local defence industry participation, while pointing out that Malaysian firms are already exporting drones and tanks to regional markets.
