Patriot warns against leak of confidential army papers

Armed forces veterans group Patriot has urged the Defence Ministry to investigate an alleged breach of confidentiality related to a news report on the possible appointment of former Army chief Zulkifli Zainal Abidin to head of the Armed Forces.

Patriot president Mohamed Arshad Raji said they were made to understand that the Armed Forces Council (AFC) papers related to Zulkifli’s appointment, as well as a list of promoted senior officers, had yet to be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for consent.

“This is a serious breach of the confidentiality of the AFC papers, and Patriot urges the Defence Ministry to fully investigate this incident,” he said.

He also warned that if such a leak could take place, there could also be breaches of "other secret defence papers."

The New Straits Times reported yesterday that Zulkifli’s appointment had been approved by the AFC on Thursday, replacing Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, who retires on June 20 after holding the post for five years.

Arshad further said the AFC secretariat should have embargoed its decisions related to the promotion of senior military officers until the approval of the Agong was sought.

"The authority to issue a statement relating to this matter then lies with the Defence Ministry Public Relations Department.

"Rightfully, no other individual is permitted to issue any statement relating to the affairs of the ministry," he stressed.

Since the news broke of the appointment, Arshad said he had been inundated by viral messages online accusing him of having a hand in recommending Zulkifli.

"Patriot would like to categorically state that this is not true. Patriot has made no such recommendation," he said.

In noting that there has also been an outpouring of dissatisfaction among veterans as well as officers still serving the force to Zulkifli heading the Armed Forces, Arshad said Patriot also shared their sentiments in demanding for another candidate for the position. -Mkini