Armed forces: Duties of Hisham’s escorts halted after May 9

PETALING JAYA: The armed forces said military escorts to former defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein officially ended after the 14th General Election.

In a statement yesterday, the armed forces said the duties of three special forces personnel were halted after May 9.

“However, following the statement made by Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, we are investigating the allegations.

“We will also take the necessary action to ensure all personnel in service are not given duties with parties that do not have the right or relevance with the current times,” the statement read and also stated that action would be taken if any personnel is found to have disobeyed orders or rules.

A news portal reported that two navy special operations force (Paskal) officers and a commando were still working as escorts for Hishammuddin.

The Paskal officers are on active duty and are to serve the armed forces until 2020 and 2021 respectively while details on the commando are scant. Sources say he was photographed with Hishammuddin last week.

Mohamad, in a Facebook post on Saturday, said the necessary action will be taken if there is any infringement of rules and regulations.

Following this, Hishammuddin, in a post on his Twitter account, said “they are only with me for a temporary period”.

“I have offered them employment, but if they accept, they must resign from the armed forces with immediate effect.”

The Sembrong MP also said “they are so close to my family and me, having served us for so many years”.