Bersatu Port Dickson chief alleges an organised money-laundering network involving senior army officials protected by higher-ups.
KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu Port Dickson chief Badrul Hisham Shaharim has alleged that a money-laundering scandal involving senior army officials may be part of an organised network protected by “the higher ups”.
Speaking to the press, Badrul, widely known as Chegubard, said the matter goes beyond individual wrongdoing, suggesting that powerful figures within the military hierarchy may have provided protection to those involved.
“This is not an individual crime. This is organised crime, protected by those in higher positions,” he claimed, adding that such protection could explain why the alleged perpetrators reportedly used personal bank accounts to receive funds.
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Badrul was speaking during a press conference with lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali in front of the Bukit Aman police headquarters yesterday.
The allegations follow Badrul’s earlier claim of a “large cash flow” in the bank accounts of a senior army officer and several family members.
He claimed that the funds are linked to companies securing military projects through the Army Responsibility Centre.
He said he has submitted detailed information to police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, but expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of decisive action, questioning why accounts believed to be actively receiving funds were yet to be frozen.
“Investigating bank accounts is simple. You freeze them first. But the most active account receiving the money has not been frozen. People are just talking, but nothing is happening,” he said.
Badrul also called for the immediate suspension of an army senior, arguing that merely going on leave would be insufficient given the seriousness of the allegations.
“He should be suspended so that he cannot clean up or erase any trail,” he said.
He raised concerns about the practicality and integrity of any investigation if the individual were summoned while still in office.
Badrul claimed that the scandal has long been an “open secret” within the armed forces.
He also criticised the lack of transparency regarding “safe houses” linked to the case, contrasting it with past high-profile investigations.
“In other cases, everything was disclosed: locations, quantities, values. Here, it is vague. Why? Because if everything is revealed, the cartel and its protectors will be exposed,” he said.
The Defence Ministry recently instructed a senior armed forces official to go on leave with immediate effect to allow investigations into the allegations of money laundering.
