KL to act against officer's allegations

KL to act against officer's allegations

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's defense ministry said yesterday it viewed as serious, allegations by a retiring army official that certain ex-army men turned salesmen were selling inferior equipment to the airforce.

Defense Minister Syed Hamid Albar promised strong action would be taken if the official could provide evidence to prove the airforce was procuring sub-standard equipment from former military men that could jeopardize national security.

He was reacting to accusations by outgoing Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief Abdul Ghani Aziz on Thursday that ex-RMAF officers turned arms dealers were selling unsuitable and obsolete equipment to the air force.

Abdul Ghani alleged these ex-officers were profit-driven and had placed the security of the RMAF and its personnel at stake, adding that they had "sold out self-respect, the safety and integrity of the air force."