ISTANBUL

Malaysia detained five senior military officers on Tuesday for an alleged intelligence leak to a smuggling ring in return for money, according to officials.

The Magistrate’s Court issued remand orders against 10 individuals, including two journalists from an online media agency, a company manager, an administrative assistant at the Malaysian Medical Association and a foreign woman, for an investigation into a smuggling syndicate operating in the south, according to state-run Bernama News.

“Four male suspects have been remanded for seven days until Aug 20, two men and one woman for two days until Aug 18, while two men and one Indonesian woman are remanded for three days until Aug 15,” according to the court.

The military intelligence officers are suspected of leaking information to a smuggling syndicate to help them avoid law enforcement.

They smuggled goods, including drugs, cigarettes and other items from neighboring countries, with an estimated value of about 5 million Malaysian Ringgit ($1.1 million) a month.

The suspects are believed to have received bribes between 30,000 Malaysian Ringgit ($7,103) and 50,000 Malaysian Ringgit for each smuggling trip.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told lawmakers that there will be "no compromise," particularly in cases involving intelligence leaks.

“If there are groups, akin to cartels, profiting by selling confidential information, this is a grave matter for the nation," Anwar told parliament, known locally as Dewan Rakyat.

“I am awaiting the initial report, but we will not cover up anything. If we begin compromising on breaches within our intelligence apparatus, it would be disastrous for the country,” he added.