Malaysia Installs New Army Chief as Predecessor Faces Corruption Allegations

January 6, 2026 | 02:45 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin on Tuesday inaugurated General Azhan Md Othman as the new Chief of the Malaysian Army during a ceremony at the Defense Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, according to The Star. The event took place on January 6, 2026.

Azhan was installed as the 31st Malaysian Army Commander, replacing General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, who has been placed on leave amid allegations of corruption involving military procurement projects.

The ceremony was witnessed by Acting Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain.

Azhan’s appointment took effect on January 1, following a decision by the 631st MAF Council meeting on November 19, and subsequent approval by His Royal Highness Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on December 1.

In his inaugural address, Azhan expressed his appreciation to the King and the government for the trust placed in him.

“Integrity and transparent governance, as well as the inculcation of noble military values, will continue to be reinforced as the core of leadership,” he said.

“This is in line with the Future Force initiative – Land Domain Strategy, which supports the aspirations of the Defense White Paper.”

He also called on all Malaysian Army personnel to remain united, strengthen solidarity, and enhance performance to ensure the armed forces continue to develop as a professional, capable, and trustworthy defense institution. Azhan added that the welfare of Army personnel and their families would remain a key priority.

Azhan’s Military Background

Born in Muar, Johor, on September 4, 1969, Azhan began his military career as an officer cadet at Sungai Besi in 1987, before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Malay Regiment on July 29, 1989.

Throughout his career, he has held several key operational roles, including Commanding Officer of the 24th Royal Malay Regiment Battalion, Commander of the Army Ready Battalion, Commander of Malbatt 850-6, and Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division.

Azhan has also served in strategic staff positions, notably as Chief of Staff at MAF Headquarters. His academic credentials include a Diploma in Strategic and Defense Studies from the University of Malaya, as well as advanced studies at the French Joint Defense College (École de Guerre) at the French Military Academy.

Hafizuddeain Investigation

Defense Minister Khaled said General Hafizuddeain had been instructed to go on leave to facilitate investigations by the authorities into the allegations against him.

“As such, the duties of the Chief of Defence Force will be assumed by Royal Malaysian Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain, as announced on Dec 27,” Khaled said, as reported by the Daily Express last week.

Khaled stressed that the move was intended to uphold the rule of law, safeguard the integrity of the Malaysian Armed Forces, and ensure that national defense readiness remains at the highest level.

Earlier, Malaysian political activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin publicly accused a senior MAF officer of involvement in money laundering activities.

Separately, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chair Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that an investigation file had been opened under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.

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