On 31 Dec 2025, the Minister of Defence, in a statement, said that all measures announced are aimed at upholding the rule of law and preserving the integrity of the Armed Forces while ensuring the nation’s sovereignty is effectively protected.
In his statement, the Minister of Defence also announced that Leftenan Jeneral Datuk Azhan Md Othman will be the 31st Army Chief, effective Jan 1, 2026 replacing the current Army Chief who was put on leave only 4 days ago, on 27 Dec 2025 following investigations by the authorities into allegations against him.
What was surprising in the announcement on 31 Dec 2025 was the revelation by the Defence Minister saying that in the 631st armed forces council meeting on 19 Nov 2025, the Council agreed and approved the appointment of the suspended Army Chief as the Armed Forces Chief to replace the retiring Nizam Jaffar.
Barely 2 months after the Council agreed and approved him to be the Armed Forces Chief and 4 days prior to him assuming the post, he was suspended pending investigation and replaced on the last day of 2025.
In the statement released on 31 Dec 2025, the Minister of Defence also said the promotion of the Army Chief to Armed Forces Chief, supposedly to start on 1 Jan 2026 has now postponed.
How long would it be postponed?
Until MACC concludes their investigations and give a clean bill of health if the allegations were proven to be untrue?
That could probably take months.
Can the country afford not to have a duly appointed Armed Forces Chief during this period?
Even if MACC were to clear him of all the allegations, can he still continue and take up his post as the Armed Forces Chief?
We are not talking about a corporate body or an organisation in this aspect.
An Armed Forces Chief is the top military advisor and professional head, responsible for strategic advice, joint operations, readiness, and command, serving the YDPA, the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, ensuring national security, and overseeing integration across Army, Navy, and Air Force for policy implementation and resource management.
His duties include military planning, training, operations, and upholding the rule of law within the armed forces.
The statement from the Minister of Defence sounds and looks odd from every angle.
It lacked clarity.
Were the alleged allegations against the suspended Army Chief disclosed and made known to the YDP Agong, Minister of Defence and the Armed Forces Council during the evaluation process to appoint him as the Armed Forces Chief?
Or the appointment process was just a `rubber stamping’ exercise?
MACC’s investigation began on 23 Dec 2025 as reported, after a report was lodged.
4 days later, on 27 Dec 2025, the Army Chief was put on leave.
Never before such efficiency was seen and acted upon.
The public is now wondering why similar efficiency was not demonstrated when reports of corruption or corrupt practices lodged against politicians, political elites and civil servants?
In most of these cases, the standard and uniform reply is always – yes, we will investigate and we advise the public to refrain from speculating and blah blah blah and then the matter will fade from public view and discussion forums.
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