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THE Government will not tolerate breaches of national security or compromise on matters involving espionage and internal threats, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told Parliament today, as he vowed full disclosure in the wake of a smuggling scandal involving senior military officials.
“There can be no compromise when it comes to national security,” Anwar said during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat. “If we begin to excuse such behaviour — particularly within intelligence circles — it would spell disaster for Malaysia.”
The Prime Minister confirmed he had raised the matter in an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, stressing that the government would not shield any individuals found to be selling state secrets or colluding in criminal activity.
“We will expose this fully. I agree, this is a matter of national security and it must be treated with utmost seriousness,” he said in response to Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari’s question regarding recent arrests of high-ranking Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) personnel.
The arrests followed Ops Sohor, a corruption bust conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) Intelligence Division with support from the Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad (ACTS).
Scandal Years in the Making
Anwar revealed that the smuggling network had been under surveillance since 2020, but no significant enforcement action had been taken under the previous administration.
“I must stress — do not point fingers at us. This has been going on for a long time, with no action taken until now,” he said. “Our position is clear: zero tolerance for corruption and no compromise.”
Defence Spending Up, But Transparency Demanded
Anwar also addressed longstanding issues in the Defence Ministry, noting a sharp increase in defence expenditure from RM3 billion in 2020 to RM5 billion in 2024, aimed at strengthening capabilities and reforming procurement processes.
“These problems have plagued the Defence Ministry for decades — from helicopter deals to the LCS scandal and aircraft purchases,” he said.
To improve transparency, the government has shifted to open tenders and government-to-government (G2G) procurement arrangements, particularly with countries such as Türkiye and South Korea.
“With this approach, we reduce pressure from agents and cut down excessive commissions,” he added.
Boosting Local Defence Industry
Despite substantial investments, Malaysia still faces limitations in its local defence manufacturing capabilities. Anwar said the government is working to address this by channelling more resources to key regions, including Lumut, Perak, and other domestic initiatives.
“These measures have already led to cost savings in defence asset procurement,” he said.
Anwar reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a transparent and accountable national security and defence apparatus, saying Malaysia must “draw a firm line” when national sovereignty is at stake. - August 19, 2025