DEFENCE SECRET LEAK – WHERE LIES OUR FAILURES?

'Defence secret leaked' – reads the The Star online Friday 5, 2009. It surprises many, especially those from the defence and security fraternity. A colleague of mine who had served many years and in various capacities in the Defence Intelligence organisation, Ministry of Defence called me frantically to ask me if I knew anything concerning the report. I replied that I do not know much, other than what was reported in the media. He voiced his disappointment at what he claims as a serious breach of security, and he believes that the person(s) involved may have acted out of greed for money.

The above revelation comes at a time when the nation, and the Defence Ministry in particular is facing public outrage over the loss of two RMAF jet fighter engines, caused by what seemed a serious lapse in base security, and where unbelievably, only one RMAF personnel and a civilian businessman is reportedly involved. Strange though it seemed; but government investigations concluded that only two people were involved.

And recently in the USA, Dong Chung, a neutralised US citizen of Chinese origin; formerly a Boeing engineer who was found guilty in July 2009 of passing space shuttle secrets to the PRC was sentenced to a 15 year jail term by the Californian court for an offence under a 1996 espionage law. Dong Chung is the first person to be convicted under that law.

I do not know what is the nature and gravity of the defence secret leak that the Defence Ministry is referring to, but by using the term 'defence secret', I presume it is serious enough to hurt and breach our national defence and security plan(s). And if my aforesaid presumption is true, our defence intelligence fraternity should not have acted in isolation (hopefully not); rather they should have sought the co-operation of the police Special Branch (SB) and the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), before a formal announcement (with explicit details) is made by the Defence Ministry, or by any other related government official. I believe an announcement can only be made upon the completion of an exhaustive investigation carried out by our investigating agencies, and not before. To say that the matter is still under investigation smacks of the lack of professionalism in dealing with such extreme defence and security issues; what more if it is related to a breach in defence secrets as reported.

The term 'defence secret' connotes a highly sensitive issue that is of national interest, and for those involved in breaching national defence and security secrets are deemed to have committed a grievous crime. And since little is known about the nature of the defence secret leak, it would be rather difficult for anyone to speculate the nature of punishment to be meted upon the perpetrators; but a warning is certainly inappropriate to the nature of the crime, if indeed it involves the giving out of a defence secret to an unauthorised person.

Taking the case of Dong Chung above, a 15 year long prison sentence is a severe punishment, and it can serve as an example for the case facing the Defence Ministry today. Catching the culprit(s) and punishing them to a jail sentence does not really end the matter. In fact, it is just the beginning, in the search to find the root cause of the leak and to seek ways on how to manage and enforce greater security against another attempt at breaching defence and security secrets.

This incident may not be the last since trying to obtain the host country's defence secrets by foreign Defence Attache in the country is part of their responsibility. This is common knowledge, and I suppose our Defence Attache serving overseas does likewise.

The other concern that many members of the Armed Forces does not realised (some deliberately) is the way many foreign defence agents work with our military officers to obtain defence secrets. When dealing with foreign defence agents (some have reaped huge profits), our military officers will inadvertently trade defence secrets with them over a game of golf followed by a sumptuous dinner (fine cigars included). And the trading gets even more boisterous if the military officers are offered an all expense paid trips to visit defence factories overseas; with some even getting a Rolls Royce to await them at the airports. And don't these officers know that receiving preferred treatment by foreign defence agents is a form of corruption – a subtle one though?

If the government and the Defence Ministry is serious in curbing the outflow of defence secrets in the future, its has to have very strict ruling and procedures governing any interaction by members of the Armed Forces with foreign military forces(especially among the officers corps), as well as their relationship with foreign defence agents that are sometimes treated like VIP's by Defence Ministry officials (military and civilians alike).


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

CORRUPTION BY ANY MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES IS A BETRAYAL OF TRUST

I am encouraged at the comments received on any articles that I write concerning corruption in the Armed Forces. This simply means that the people who reads the articles are concern at what is happening to the Armed Forces, and are disgusted at the few still in uniform who have by their own stupidity and greed, shamed and tarnished the good name of the Armed Forces. The talks of corruption in the Armed Forces is not new, but I believe it has been occurring in the past. But it is only in recent times that dissenting voices against the scourge has been heard aloud, both from within and outside the Armed Forces. I suppose, the magnitude of the problem is beyond respite, and is believed to involved some that are high up in the heirachy of command.

I have received emails, letters, phone calls and even met several people who have expressed anger, disdain and disappointment at such blatant act that have brought disgrace and tarnish the noble profession of the Armed Forces. Some have given me names of person(s) involved, and I do not intend to name them here for fear that it might be wrong. But the fact remains that I now have a poor impression of the person(s) concern, although they have yet to be proven to be involved in any wrong doing. I suppose, many would have a similar impression, if the same is told to them.

I am also aware that there are some people, in their silent ways have express concern at what I have been writing in my blogweb. But let me assure them that my intention is not to smear or bad mouth anybody. I am merely trying to create an awareness among those that are corrupt and of what others perceive them to be, in the hope that they will cease immediately to be involve in such dastardly acts. But if what I write hurts, it will only be felt by those who are involved; but not those who are free of such wrong doing. It is to those people who feel hurt, that I ought to cautioned them.

Regardless of ones faith, corruption is indeed an undesirable act done by those without any sense of guilt and morality. And being a member of the Armed Forces, demands integrity, honestly, loyalty and of high moral.Those who are corrupt certainly have no place in the military society, for it is only for those who are noble. And if the corrupt have become wealthy through their misdeeds, please do not think for once that they are leading a happy life. It will be the feeling of guilt as well as the derogatory name that they carry, that will eventually 'kill' them.

I sincerely thank some of my loyal friends who have reminded me to be genial in my writings concerning corruption in the Armed Forces, for they fear that it is also damaging to the organisation, more than those involved. I am appreciative of their concern, but I could not bare watch the acts of these few thoughtless people who have brought disgrace to the Armed Forces, of which I was part off a decade ago. Some would say that I am being foolish, but it is better to be foolish than to witness the decadence of the once respectable and honourable institution, because of a few corrupt and thoughtless zealots.

Similarly, I have also being reminded by some who have ask me to continue writing until some are being dragged to prison. This can only happen if those who have access to their wrong doings makes a bold attempt to come forward to expose all that they know. And this can only come from within.

Finally, to those who love dearly the Armed Forces, fear not the truth, for truth is the only way to save the good name of the Armed Forces. One ought to remember that any misdeed that one does will invariably affect the position of the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, His Royal Highness the King to which all members of the Armed Forces have pledge to serve with unquestioned loyalty. To me, any act that brings shame to the Armed Forces is a betrayal of trust to the pledges that one has declared to His Royal Highness, and corruption is indeed a betrayal of trust.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

WHO TO CHECKMATE WHO?

'MACC arrests former top civil servant for graft' reports The Malaysian Insider, Tuesday, October 27, 2009. Is the top civil servant a former KSU of a ministry? And who could that person be? The answer will only be known in the next few hours from now, when he will be brought before the Shah Alam High Court to face the charges..

Will this be the beginning of a massive clean up of all government ministries, especially following the findings of irregularities and misappropriation of public funds that was revealed in the recent Auditor General's report? Would one believe that a laptop computer was purchased at RM40,000 a piece? This is just one example revealed in the report that does not make any sense.

But more importantly, will the authorities be willing to take punitive action on those responsible, or will it be another NFA? From what was observed on all previous Auditor General's reports, it will most probably be another NFA, because there will be too many people involved if the matter is being fully investigated. It is not surprising that the investigation may even lead right up the top echelon of government.

The Defence Ministry certainly is no exception, as huge amount of public funds are being utlised every year. In all probability, it is not the Armed Forces personnel alone that is mired in corruption, but they have to be working together with their civilian cohorts. I am told that officers of the Procurement Division (Bahagian Perolehan), need to be monitored closely, as they are the ones most likely to succumb to corrupt practice. Companies who are victims of corrupt officers would not normally want to launch a report, because they fear that they will be victimised for subsequent submission of tenders.

I have been told of a tailoring company that has a 'contract in perpetuity' with the Defence Ministry to provide the Armed Forces with tailoring services. The company has now ventured into other businesses as well, one of which is the bidding for bullet resistance vest for the army, while there is already a local company involved in the manufacture of the said equipment. With strong and firm 'cables' within the ministry, I am quite sure other likely competitors will be eliminated easily. And mind you, this tailoring company does not even have the facility to manufacture locally the equipment. One need also ask who else works for the company, where businesses from the ministry can just flow in easily. Officers of the Armed Forces knows this too well, but are just to afraid to speak out.

I am quite sure by now, the Minister, Dato Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is able to judge for himself the ongoings that is awfully wrong within the ministry. I trust the minister is bold enough to put a check to this, and if need be to 'throw the books' on those found guilty of any wrong doing........however trivial.

Seriously, I no longer have any faith left in the present leaders of the Armed Forces to do the checking, for they are themselves to be checked. And with the 'Whistle Blowers Act' to be proposed by the government, will this be a sure means of checking corruption in government? The answer is yet to be known.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

A YEAR AS A BLOGGER

I have been a blogger for almost a year now, and the more I write, the more I learn from the comments (for and against) made by my faithful readers. I had wanted to confine my writings initially to issues relating to the military. But I slow in getting 'up-dates' from friends within the service; hence I began writing about other issues that interest me, particularly social and political issues that is affecting the nation.

One particular issue that I wish to champion is the eradication of corruption in the Armed Forces, and to look into the social and economic well being of ex-servicemen, and to assist them in whatever way I can.

I thought that the Ex-Servicemen Association of which I am not a member, would be the right platform to champion the cause of ex-servicemen, but I am somewhat skeptical of their will and ability to assist. I may be wrong in saying this, but I succeeded in assisting a crippled ex-soldier obtained an increase pension as well as an ex-gratia payment, where the Ex-Servicemen Association could not assist when the association was approached in the first instant. I need not pay a single cent to seek the assistance from Army HQ, but it was only a letter from me that started the ball rolling. My letter would have gone into the dustbin, if it wasn't for the caring attitude of the officers that handled the case. For their assistance, I thank them all.

Fighting corruption and nabbing the culprit is not an easy thing to do. Even Tun Dr. Mahathir recognised this. There is now so much of talk circulating that armed forces personnel are into this 'trade' in alarming numbers. I was told recently that the modus operandi of the 'taker' is simple. Just handover one's car key to the 'giver', throw in the cash into the car, and then return the car key back to the 'taker'. That level of simplicity, that I find hard to comprehend.

Since there is already so much of 'market talk' regarding corruption in the armed forces, I think it is only appropriate that the armed forces come out with a policy to stop officers from having private dealings with contractors and business agents etc. other than in their official capacity. Certainly, to be seen with contractors and business agents on the golf course, and together on holiday trips abroad must be avoided at all costs.This seems to be the normal practice today, but if one is morally strong, this can be a way of reducing the perception that officers of the armed forces are corrupt.

I will not cease writing,.......not just yet. And only failing health will stop me from doing what I like most i.e. writing.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

THE MILITARY PROFESSION IS NOT FOR ACQUIRING PERSONAL WEALTH

There has been rumours floating outside the corridors of the Defence Ministry claiming that some senior military officers have been awarding contracts to companies where their family members are employees of the company.

My first impression upon being told about this was to say, “how blatant these senior military officers are today”, and I wonder where have they acquired this unethical habits from. To have been told earlier that some senior military officers have also acquired the shameless act of accepting monetary favours from defence agents and contractors; the award of contracts to family members is therefore not at all surprising.

If this rumour is found to be true, and if the senior military officer(s) involved has the slightest tint of dignity and honour left in them, I would suggest that they take the honourable act of discharging themselves from the military service. The military service is not an occupation to acquire personal wealth through dubious means, but it is an occupation that is most honourable and dignified.

I will be following this rumour closely and if it found to be true, I will not hesitate to name the officer(s) involved, regardless of their status and position in this blog, and to report it matter to MACC.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 22.30 pm on March 25, 2009