Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency has detained five people, including a former army chief and his two wives, as part of an investigation into alleged graft tied to a military procurement project, according to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and local reports.
MACC said in a late Wednesday statement that multiple individuals were arrested in connection with the probe, though it did not publicly identify the suspects.
Malaysian media, citing MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki, reported that the detainees include former army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, who was taken into custody along with his two wives. Hafizuddeain had reportedly been placed on leave in late December while authorities examined allegations related to his conduct.
A married couple was also among those arrested, MACC said.
While investigators have not shared full details of the procurement case, the inquiry is understood to involve suspected payments allegedly deposited into the bank account of a senior army officer.
Authorities have already raided several companies linked to the matter since late last year and have seized six bank accounts belonging to an unnamed suspect and family members.
In a further development, Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama reported that investigators also stopped an attempt to move 2.4 million ringgit (about $591,000) in cash believed to be connected to the case.
The money was reportedly confiscated after an individual linked to the investigation was caught trying to transfer it to another location.
MACC said it would pursue the investigation “with full transparency and professionalism.”