SHAH ALAM — Former Army Chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan was charged at the Sessions Court here today with two new corruption charges on receiving RM145,000 in proceeds allegedly linked to illegal activities.
Muhammad Hafizuddeain, 58, is accused of receiving RM115,000 and RM30,000 which were deposited into his bank account at a branch in Ampang Point, Ampang, between February 2, 2024, and May 19, 2025.
The former senior officer of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF)pleaded not guilty after both charges were read out before Judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin.
“I understand the charges and wish to claim trial,” Bernama reports him saying in court.
The two charges were brought 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 amount involved or RM5 million, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Muhammad Hafizuddin is the first Army chief to be charged in court in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Malaysian Army’s procurement tenders.
Yesterday, he pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to four charges of receiving more than RM2.12 million in proceeds from illegal activities.
He and two of his wives were detained for remand by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on January 7 in connection with army tender procurement projects.
The MACC investigation, dubbed Ops Parasit, began on Oct 7, 2025, scrutinised several army projects dating back to 2023.
Last Thursday, 23 individuals, including two high-ranking officers and four senior MAF officers, were detained by the MACC to assist in investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of power, involving procurement matters and the use of public funds, as well as claims of receiving bribes from several companies, linked to the procurement of supplies for the Armed Forces Welfare Fund (TKAT) and the ministry.
Judge Mohd Nasir allowed Muhammad Hafizuddeain to be released on bail of RM250,000 with two sureties, as ordered by Judge Azura Alwi yesterday.
Additional conditions were also maintained, requiring the accused to report to the authorities once a month during the first week and to surrender his passport until the case is concluded. The case is scheduled for mention again on March 30.
The case in Shah Alam will also be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court 9 and tried with the first set of charges.
“March 30 March, 2026, has been set for the submission of documents. Since the Sessions Court 9 case involves four charges exceeding RM2.1 million, with the same witnesses and largely similar facts except for the bank accounts, I request that these two charges be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to save time,” Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat said.
Judge Mohd Nasir then fixed March 30 as the next mention date at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court. – January 23, 2026