Defence Ministry seeking clarification on PM’s freeze directive

KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry is currently seeking further information and clarification over the Prime Minister’s latest directive on temporarily freezing decisions on corruption-linked procurement projects involving the Armed Forces and the police.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the ministry will also examine the details of the directive’s implementation in line with existing governance frameworks, financial regulations and legal requirements.

“We are reviewing the matter as due consideration must be given to ensuring that the nation’s defence readiness and the continuity of operations remain intact and are not adversely affected.

“At the same time, a comprehensive assessment would be carried out on the implications of the decision for ongoing procurement activities, including contracts that have already been signed, taking into account existing contractual obligations, current operational needs and overall national security interests,” he said in a statement on Friday (Jan 16).

Khaled reiterated that the ministry is also reviewing measures to improve its procurement processes to strengthen governance and prevent any form of leakage or irregularities in the future.