Former Malaysian military intelligence chief charged over US$20,000 bribe and overseas travel payments
Former MDIO director-general Razali Alias pleaded not guilty to three charges involving an alleged US$20,000 bribe and improper payments for overseas flights, as Malaysia intensifies scrutiny of corruption within defence institutions.
- Former Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation director-general Razali Alias pleaded not guilty to three corruption-related charges on 29 January, 2026.
- The charges involve an alleged US$20,000 bribe and payments totalling RM64,600 for overseas flight tickets for his wife.
- The case comes amid heightened scrutiny of corruption within defence and security institutions following multiple recent arrests and charges.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: A former director-general of the Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation (MDIO) was charged in the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur on 29 January, 2026, with three counts relating to bribery and receiving improper payments linked to his official duties.
Razali Alias, 59, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read before judge Suzana Hussin. “I understand the charges. I plead not guilty and request to be tried,” he told the court.
Alleged US$20,000 bribe linked to defence procurement
According to Malaysian state media Bernama, the first charge alleges that Razali corruptly accepted a bribe of US$20,000 for himself from Sheikh Ahmad Nafiq Sheikh A. Rahman, 45, between August and November 2024.
According to the charge, the alleged offence took place at the Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation, Kementah Camp, Jalan Padang Tembak, while Razali was serving as director-general.
The prosecution said the bribe was offered as an inducement for Razali to approve a certificate of verification and acceptance of services for payment purposes.
This approval related to the procurement of maintenance and support services for the Cyber Defence Operations Centre (CDOC) system under the Defence Intelligence Staff Division.
The charge is framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law.
Upon conviction, the offence carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Payments for overseas flights for wife
The second charge alleges that Razali, in his capacity as MDIO director-general, received a payment totalling RM26,800 for his wife, Datin Azarina Bakia, 59.
The payment was allegedly made for the purchase of return flight tickets between Kuala Lumpur and Malaga, Spain.
Prosecutors said the payment was made by Sheikh Ahmad Nafiq, a director of Syarikat Intelligence PC Centre Sdn Bhd, and that Razali knew it was connected to his official duties.
This offence was allegedly committed on 15 November, 2024, at the same location in Kuala Lumpur, and is framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code.
Third charge over Estonia travel
For the third charge, Razali is accused of receiving another payment, amounting to RM37,800, also for his wife.
The payment was allegedly for the purchase of return flight tickets between Kuala Lumpur and Estonia.
According to the charge, the payment was again made by Sheikh Ahmad Nafiq and occurred on 28 April, 2025, at the same location.
This charge is similarly framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code and carries a punishment of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Bail decision and court proceedings
After hearing submissions from both sides, judge Suzana granted Razali bail of RM50,000 with one surety.
She also ordered him to surrender his passport until the disposal of the case and fixed 4 March for case mention.
Deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How had sought bail of RM200,000, citing concerns that Razali posed a flight risk due to his recent retirement and frequent overseas travel.
Defence counsel Geethan Ram Vincent argued for a lower bail amount, saying the surrender of the passport mitigated any risk and that Razali had cooperated with investigators.
Wider security and corruption concerns
The case has attracted public attention due to its implications for national security and governance within defence institutions.
In August, 2025, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed concern over the arrests of two MDIO officers, warning that the investigations could pose risks to national security.
According to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, five army and navy officers were arrested last August over alleged involvement in a cross-border smuggling syndicate.
MACC said the suspects were believed to have leaked sensitive security information and facilitated the entry of contraband, including drugs and cigarettes worth about RM5 million a month.
Separate anti-corruption investigations heightens scrutiny
Separately, recent weeks have seen a series of high-profile corruption cases involving senior defence figures.
On 26 January, MACC arrested a senior Royal Malaysian Navy officer over alleged corrupt practices linked to navy projects.
As part of that investigation, two budget hotels valued at more than RM2 million were sealed and 21 bank accounts were frozen.
On 23 Jan, Malaysia’s former armed forces chief Mohd Nizam Jaffar was charged with multiple corruption-related offences linked to the Armed Forces Welfare Fund. The charges include abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and receiving valuables worth RM200,000, or about US$49,720.
On 22 Jan, former army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, 58, and his wife Salwani Anuar, 26, were charged with money laundering involving nearly RM2.2 million over alleged corruption and abuse of power linked to military procurement tenders.
