23/01/2026

FRIDAY | JAN 23, 2026

2

Ex-army chief claims trial to money laundering charges o Court grants bail of

Malaysia crafting defence drone strategy to counter modern threats KUALA LUMPUR: The Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence (STRIDE) is creating a national defence drone framework to counter modern warfare threats, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He said drones and new technologies are now among the main threats in today’s security landscape, making early preparation essential to safeguard the nation’s defence capabilities. “We are also focusing on emerging areas, particularly in response to the threats of modern warfare today, where drones and similar technologies are increasingly used. “We have tasked STRIDE with developing a framework for national defence drones. They are working on this to ensure we are prepared for emerging threats to our national security,” he said during a question and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH-Balik Pulau) on the specific research and development (R&D) initiatives to be undertaken under the National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN) launched on Wednesday. Mohamed Khaled said the DIPN is an ongoing framework that will evolve in line with defence needs and technological developments. He said the DIPN’s success relies on a strong R&D and technology ecosystem, open to all sectors of the defence industry. “This means it is open to various sectors. At this initial stage, we do not intend to build equipment like aircraft, but we can start by focusing on components, as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).” On the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) Littoral Mission Ship project in Turkiye, Mohamed Khaled said the decision was made based on specific considerations at the time. He said, however, for future projects, the government will limit overseas construction to one ship, with the rest built domestically to allow the transfer of expertise and experience to the local industry. He said the DIPN launch also set measures to boost the local defence industry, including a minimum requirement of 30% local components in all defence procurements. “These are among the policies we will use as a starting point to develop the local defence industry. For your information, there are currently 15 MROs run by foreign OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) that we believe Malaysians are now capable of taking over.” – Bernama military exercises in the waters, but such exercises are not new, not directed at any single country and include naval and air operations as well as joint exercises when necessary. He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PN-Pasir Puteh) on Malaysia’s direction should military exercises be held in the area, government measures to address vessel intrusions, and whether Malaysia has set any red lines in the COC negotiations. On the South China Sea COC negotiations, Mohamad said the process has made significant progress, with nearly 70% of the content agreed upon, but careful negotiations are still required to ensure national sovereignty is not compromised. – Bernama

although his lawyer said there may be administrative issues regarding the status of his discharge. He confirmed that his client, a four-star general, intends to contest the charges. “Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty under Article 5 of the Federal Constitution,” Aizul said, adding: “My client will fight the charges.” Meanwhile, the court fixed bail of RM30,000 for Salwani with two sureties, imposing similar conditions of passport surrender and monthly reporting to the MACC. Salwani is also expected to face additional charges at the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court on Monday. Her lawyer, Fahmi Abd Moin appealed for leniency, stating that his client has no fixed income and relies on an online business while supporting her parents. He said she cooperated fully with the MACC during six days of remand and did not object to the additional bail conditions.

Rohan Anuar, applied for a lower bail amount of RM100,000, describing the prosecution’s proposal as excessive. He told the court that his client had served in the military for more than 40 years, including a year on peacekeeping duty in Bosnia and is now retired with a monthly income of RM15,000. “All of my client’s bank accounts have been frozen. Imposing a high bail would effectively amount to further punishment, particularly as he also needs to secure bail for his wife,” Aizul said, adding that the defence did not object to the additional reporting conditions. Aizul said he was only appointed to represent Muhammad Hafizuddeain recently and has yet to scrutinise the charges in detail. “At this stage, this is purely an Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) matter under Section 4. As of now, there is no identified predicate offence. It is too early for me to comment on the defence.” Muhammad Hafizuddeain has opted for early retirement from military service,

RM250,000 in two sureties, orders surrender of passport

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Former army chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his third wife pleaded not guilty today at the Sessions Court to multiple money laundering charges. His wife, Salwani Anuar @ Kamaruddin, was charged with four counts of money laundering involving RM77,000 in her capacity as the controller of Wany Venture. The 27-year-old allegedly received proceeds of unlawful activities through four deposits into a CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad account between Nov 24, 2024 and Nov 25, 2025. She was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which carries a maximum jail term of 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the proceeds or RM5 million. Muhammad Hafizuddeain, 57, was charged with four counts of money laundering involving RM2.12 million, allegedly received through four transactions deposited into his bank accounts between Feb 2, 2024 and Nov 7, 2025. The prosecution applied to transfer Salwani’s case from Sessions Court 9 to Sessions Court 8 to be heard together with her husband’s case. The application was not opposed by the defence. Judge Azura granted bail of RM250,000 for Muhammad Hafizuddeain in two sureties and ordered him to surrender his passport to the court and report to the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) office during the first week of every month. The case has been fixed for mention on March 30 for the delivery of prosecution documents under Section 51A of the Criminal Procedure Code. Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin proposed bail of RM300,000, citing the seriousness of the charges and the risk of absconding. He said surrendering the accused’s international passport was necessary given the gravity of the case. Muhammad Hafizuddeain’s lawyer, Aizul KUALA LUMPUR: The South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC), expected to be finalised this year, is not an instrument to resolve overlapping claims, but a framework to ensure the waters remain a safe, free and peaceful trade route for all parties, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He said overlapping claims need to be resolved through bilateral or multilateral negotiations, while the COC serves to establish behavioural principles and confidence building measures to prevent tensions in the area. “Our country, Malaysia, is the country coordinator with China and we have undertaken what is called the rapid discussion group, the joint working group committee on

PUBLIC PRESENCE ... Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim engaging with the crowd during a meet-and-greet with the Chinese community at SJKC Perting in Bentong, Pahang. Also present was Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail. – BERNAMAPIC South China Sea code not meant to resolve overlapping claims: Minister

ongoing negotiations towards finalising the COC. Mohamad said among the key components of both documents are the principles and objectives of conduct for parties involved in the South China Sea, as well as confidence-building measures and a safe-restraint approach to ensure no actions are taken that could trigger tensions. Mohamad also said military exercises in the South China Sea will continue to be carried out periodically through bilateral and multilateral cooperation, but will not be used as provocative actions against any country, as regional maritime stability remains a priority for a maritime nation. He said Malaysia may indeed conduct

the COC. “So I am confident that many of the terms within the COC have already received agreement,” he said during the Ministers’ Question Time session in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Mohamad was replying to a question from Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) regarding the latest developments in COC negotiations on the South China Sea, including Malaysia’s role, the security situation in the Batu Puteh waters and the government’s measures to address it. Elaborating, he said Asean views two instruments as the common foundation in managing the South China Sea, namely the Document of Conduct established in 2002 and