Its deputy minister, Adly Zahari, said being among the largest recipients of federal funding, with an allocation of RM21 billion, the ministry must prioritise sound procurement management.

“After the education, health, and finance ministries, the defence ministry is among those receiving the highest allocations. Our challenge is to ensure procurement is managed effectively and with full transparency,” he said in an interview with FMT.

He ssid the ministry’s anti-corruption plan has been strengthened, with greater emphasis on governance and closer cooperation with the anti-graft agency to ensure every stage of the procurement process is properly monitored.

Adly said the use of digital technology, including artificial intelligence, is a key focus to enable more effective oversight of procurement.

“Online procurement can, in fact, be monitored, but we must ensure the entire process is carried out properly,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ministry has restructured its procurement committees to include officials from other ministries, including the home ministry, to avoid decision-making being concentrated within a single entity.

He said a cross-service approach has also been introduced, involving the army, navy and air force in the technical evaluation of asset procurement.

“For land-based procurement, we involve the navy in technical assessments, and vice versa for air assets. These are among the improvements we have implemented,” he said.

Adly added that the ministry will continue refining existing systems to ensure transparency, efficiency and accountability are upheld.

On Jan 16, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ordered a freeze on approvals for military procurement contracts pending a comprehensive review, following corruption and abuse of power allegations involving senior officers of the armed forces.