Foreign groups gave aid to politicians, claims ex-intelligence chief

 

US vice-president Kamala Harris’ arrival at the Paya Lebar military airport in Singapore was due to security reasons, says a retired military intelligence chief. (AP pic)

PETALING JAYA: A former intelligence official with the armed forces claims that several national leaders had in the past received support from overseas organisations, including the United States, to strengthen their political careers.

Former military intelligence director-general Mohd Salleh Ismail said his officers found that Malaysian political leaders had met with influential individuals abroad.

He said military intelligence found out that certain foreign individuals had expressed keen interest in providing support towards specific local politicians.

“We knew that the actions (of the parties abroad) were to provide assistance to certain people (in the country). We did not have any evidence that this aid was delivered directly, but the information received involved several organisations in the US, for example,” he was quoted as saying by Mingguan Malaysia.

Sailed added that the leaders were also given moral support.

“It was obvious through the actions (of several political leaders) who had often met with influential parties overseas. We had information on that.”

He also revealed that his team had thorough information on the date and location of the meeting, as well as the identities of the politicians involved, during his tenure as the military intelligence chief.

Salleh said his team had monitored the politicians’ activities when they were overseas and who they had met.

“We did not know what was discussed but the meetings were believed to have taken place to gain moral support from overseas,” he said.

Meanwhile, asked about US vice-president Kamala Harris’ visit to Singapore on Aug 22 and the reason why her flight landed at the Paya Lebar military airport instead of Changi International Airport, Salleh explained that this was due to security concerns.

He also claimed it was a signal to Malaysia that Singapore’s military was still strongly supported by the US.

“I think it was organised by Singapore themselves. That was a warning to us. I believe this is all part of their game,” Salleh said. - FMT