Home Civil Society Voices More questions on Mindef land swap deals

More questions on Mindef land swap deals

Patriot

Follow us on our Malay and English WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube channels.

No corruption case must be allowed to taint the honourable service of the men and women in uniform, says Mohamed Arshad Raji.

The Mindef land swap/privatisation project, an explosive corruption issue involving military land, which was highlighted in April 2018 before the 2018 general election, has now come to light.

A special investigative committee headed by Ambrin Buang has discovered impropriety in the dealings, and reports are being filed with the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. So far the information that has surfaced is skimpy.

On 9 April 2018, Patriot asked three questions:

  • What had transpired over the last ten years since Najib Razak, then Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, made the proposal in 2008 to privatise the Mindef/armed forces land?
  • Was the more than 40,000 hectares of land privatised?
  • If so, to which company and who were the owners of the company?

The questions were raised following Rafidah Aziz’s shocking expose in an open letter on 8 April 2018.

Following Rafidah’s shocking allegation and Patriot’s media statement, former Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein accused Rafidah of three lies, which prompted Rafidah to reaffirm her statement with Qur’anic verse – that every piece of military land had been privatised to a company owned by three persons.

Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu’s statement on 19 February mentioned that the investigative committee found 16 land swap projects involving 1,183 hectares.

Many questions remain unanswered, such as:

  • What happened to the balance of the 40,000 hectares originally mentioned?
  • For the 16 land swap cases discovered so far, was it direct dealing with the persons/companies involved or through a phantom company?
  • Who were the politicians and culprits involved, and were there military top brass involved too?
READ MORE:  Dignity in disgrace: The Iswaran case

Patriot urges the police and the MACC to immediately swing into action.

The bank accounts of suspects should be frozen, and they should be barred from leaving the country. If military brass were involved, action should be taken against them – even if they have retired.

Patriot would like to see a strong message sent to our current serving personnel and the youths – that enough is enough with all the corruption nonsense. We should have zero tolerance for corruption, especially involving those in high office.

No corruption case must be allowed to taint the honourable service of the men and women in uniform, military and police, who have sacrificed and served the king and country with pride and honour.

Retired Brigadier General Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji is president of Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan.


The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Support our work by making a donation. Tap to download the QR code below and scan this QR code from Gallery by using TnG e-wallet or most banking apps:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
2 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
KS Ronny
20 Feb 2019 8.05pm

SIASAT WHOEVER RESPONSIBLE . ARMED FORCES LAND PUN SAPU

Johnson Lukose
20 Feb 2019 3.24pm

Mat “Tukang Masak” Sabu said since 1997!
Do you mean all corruption / land scandal since 1997 or just 2009 – 2018? Please clarify your demands!

2
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x