Ex-Armed Forces chief’s RM3m graft case: 23 documents submitted to defence

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — The defence in former chief of Defence Force Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar’s case has received 23 documents, including recorded statements, in relation to four charges involving abuse of power and criminal breach of trust amounting to RM3 million.

Lawyer Abdul Aziz Hamzah, representing Mohd Nizam, 59, said the additional documents were handed over by the prosecution during case mention proceedings before Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad today.

“Today, the prosecution submitted documents related to the charges as requested by the defence under Section 51A of the Criminal Procedure Code.

“We were informed that three sets of documents would be handed over, but so far only two sets have been received. Among the documents submitted are recorded statements and meeting minutes,” he told reporters after the proceedings.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Elyza Amira Habeeb Rahman informed the court that two sets of documents had been handed over to the defence and requested another mention date for the submission of the remaining documents.

The court then fixed June 19 for further mention of the case.

For the first charge, Mohd Nizam was accused of abusing his position as assistant chief of staff for personnel services of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and chairman of the Armed Forces Welfare Fund (TKAT) executive committee to obtain gratification for himself.

He allegedly appointed Sinar Bakti Global to supply sarongs for 2025 Hari Raya aid packages worth RM468,000 despite having an interest in the company, resulting in gratification amounting to RM267,481.90.

He was also accused of appointing Sinar Raudhah Global to supply batik fabric worth RM52,000 and Zahra Jaya Global to supply multifunctional folding pliers worth RM750,000 for TKAT, despite allegedly having interests in the companies involved.

For the second charge, Mohd Nizam was accused of using his position to obtain RM285,000 in gratification for himself through the appointment of QMZ Resources to supply bath towels worth RM600,000 and Helmee Resources to supply backpacks worth RM1.725 million to TKAT.

The offences were allegedly committed at the Ministry of Defence in Jalan Padang Tembak, Kementah, on June 24, 2024 under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.

The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

For the third charge, Mohd Nizam was accused of committing criminal breach of trust involving RM3 million belonging to TKAT by using the funds to make additional investments in Precious Amber International Berhad without approval from the TKAT Investment Committee.

The offence was allegedly committed at the same location on October 4, 2024 under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of between two and 20 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.

Under the fourth charge, he was accused of receiving RM200,000 without consideration from a director of Aspen Red Sdn Bhd, who had links to matters handled by him in his official capacity.

The offence was allegedly committed at Wisma Transit Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Buku Lima, Kementah, in March 2025 under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to two years or a fine or both upon conviction. — Bernama