Former Armed Forces chief pleads not guilty to graft, breach of trust charges

KUALA LUMPUR – Former Armed Forces Chief, retired General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here on Friday to charges of abusing his position to obtain bribes totalling RM552,481.90, committing criminal breach of trust involving RM3 million from the Armed Forces Welfare Fund (TKAT) and receiving RM200,000 since 2024.

Nizam, 60, entered the plea after all four charges were read out before Judge Rosli Ahmad.

“I understand the charges and plead not guilty, Your Honour,” he said while standing in the dock, dressed in a black coat and holding a walking stick.

According to the first and second charges, Nizam, in his capacity as Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel Services (AKSPA) of the Malaysian Armed Forces and chairman of the TKAT Executive Committee, allegedly abused his position for personal gain involving sums of RM267,481.90 and RM285,000.

He was accused of appointing five companies to supply items including kain pelikat, batik cloth, multifunctional folding pliers, backpacks and bath towels for 2025 Hari Raya aid packages for TKAT.

The offences were allegedly committed at the Defence Ministry, Jalan Padang Tembak, Kementah on June 24, 2024.

He was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

For the third charge, Nizam was accused of committing criminal breach of trust after allegedly misusing RM3 million belonging to TKAT by making an additional investment in a company without approval from the TKAT Investment Committee.

The offence was allegedly committed at the same location on Oct 4, 2024.

If convicted, he faces punishment under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which provides for two to 20 years’ imprisonment, whipping and a possible fine.

For the fourth charge, Nizam, in his capacity as Armed Forces Chief, was accused of receiving RM200,000 without consideration from a 57-year-old company director, who was known to have dealings related to matters under the accused’s authority.

The offence was allegedly committed at Wisma Transit Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Buku Lima, Kementah, in March 2025.

If convicted, he may be punished under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib, while the defence was represented by lawyer Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud.

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