Research Division of the Prime Minister's Department

Malaysian government agency

The Research Division of the Prime Minister's Department (Malay: Bahagian Penyelidikan Jabatan Perdana Menteri) is an agency within the Malaysian Prime Minister's Department.[1] According to a leaked US diplomatic cable dating back to 2006, the Research Division is actually the public name for the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO), the country's main foreign intelligence agency.[2]

History

Origins and operations

The Research Division was established during the 1960s as part of Malaysia's national security covert intelligence agency.[3] Muhammad Hatta, the Secretary of the Malaysian National Security Council, was known to have served as MEIO's Director General from 2002 to 2005.[citation needed] It was also known to have helped the Malaysian Special Branch in combating the Malayan Communist Party.[4] According to leaked cables, the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation also covertly supported the secessionist groups in Mindanao. More recently, MEIO reportedly helped to combat the Islamic State.[3][5]

Post–2018 Malaysian general election

According to reports by several Malaysian news media including The Star, The Sun, and the news blog Malaysia Today in May 2018, the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation had 300 personnel, operated as a spy agency, and reported directly to former Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. The organization was allegedly used to monitor government critics at home and abroad. Following the 2018 Malaysian general election, members of the Royal Malaysia Police's Commercial Crime Division searched the home of a female individual, who was reported to be the head of the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation, for documents that Najib had given her two days before the 2018 election. The Police also searched two buildings belonging to the agency.[6][7][8]

In late July 2018, a letter from MEIO's Director-General Hasanah Abu Hamid dating back to 4 May 2018 was leaked to the media. The letter was reportedly addressed to Gina Haspel, the designated Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and appealed for the Trump Administration to support Najib's administration even in the event that Barisan Nasional won by a simple majority or just one seat. She also described the Pakatan Harapan leader Mahathir Mohamed as an anti-Semite.[9] In response, the Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng called for an investigation into allegations that the Research Division had written to the CIA, describing the letter as an attempt to solicit foreign intervention.[10]

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Najib denied having any knowledge of the Research Division's letter, claiming that it was a government secret not meant for public eyes.[11] During a press conference on 31 July, Hasanah's lawyer Datuk Shaharudin Ali confirmed that the letter was genuine and asserted that the letter between MEIO and the CIA was part of the work of intelligence gathering and national security.[12] The former Director Hasanah lodged a police report on the grounds that the letter should not have been leaked for national security reasons.[13][14] On 6 August 2018, Ab Jalil Backer, the leader of a group called Angkatan Karyawan Nasionalis, claimed that the CIA had leaked MEIO's letter and also alleged that the US spy agency had been colluding with Pakatan Harapan.[15]

A news report in May 2018 stated that the MEIO may be abolished under the new Mahathir government.[16]

On 22 August 2018, the news website Malaysiakini reported that the Malaysian Government appointed Ahmad Shublee Othman as the next Director of MEIO.[17]

In late August 2018, former MEIO director-general Hasanah was remanded in police custody over the alleged misappropriation of election funds during the 2018 general election.[18] In mid April 2021, High Court Justice Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh granted Hasanah a "discharge not amounting to an acquittal" (DNAA) in a trial involving the misuse of RM50.4 million (US$12.1 million) from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad sovereignty fund.[19][20]

In June 2022, Hasanah applied to have her DNAA converted to a full acquittal. On 10 August 2022, Judicial Commissioner Roz Mawar Rozain granted Hasanah a full acquittal.[21]

Structure

The Research Division or Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation is part of Malaysia's national security covert intelligence agency. It is believed to have more than 1,000 agents, officers, and operatives around the world. MEIO works with several other Malaysian government departments and agencies including the Special Branch, military intelligence, and the National Security Council. MEIO has covert intelligence sources around the world and shares its information with the Prime Minister, the Malaysian Cabinet, Special Branch, and other agencies.

The Division's Director-General was Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid until the 2018 Malaysian general election.[3][5]

Functions

The Research Division of the Prime Minister's Department is tasked with helping to improve the safety and prosperity of the country, empowering national sovereignty, and maintaining and enhancing the country's image and reputation in the international arena.[22]

Further reading

  • Malaysia's National Security Council described by new NSC Secretary (Report). WikiLeaks. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  • Michael Vatikiotis (5 March 2013). "Malaysia the Moderate Peacemaker". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 17 August 2013.

Notes and references

  1. ^ "Prime Minister's Department - Government Directory". Prime Minister's Department. Archived from the original on 2013-02-24. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  2. ^ "All in Good Faith? Proximity, Politicization and the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation" (PDF). Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Secretive agency has over 1,000 personnel worldwide". The Star. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  4. ^ Michael Vatikiotis (5 March 2013). "Malaysia the Moderate Peacemaker". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Malaysian spy agency has over 1,000 staff worldwide". The Straits Times. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Covert agency linked to former PM raided". The Star. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Top officer's house raided for Najib documents: Report". The Sun. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Top Officer's House Raided For Najib Documents: Report". Malaysia Today. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  9. ^ Hamdan, Nurbaiti (27 July 2018). "Former MEIO DG to lodge police report over alleged CIA letter". The Star. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  10. ^ Adnan, Ahmad Suhael (26 July 2018). "Guan Eng: In-depth investigation into alleged letter to CIA necessary". New Straits Times. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  11. ^ Mohsen, Amar Shah; Achariam, Timothy (26 July 2018). "Najib denies any knowledge of alleged letter to CIA". The Sun. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  12. ^ Reduan, Hidir (31 July 2018). "Leaked CIA letter real, 'sending it not treason'". New Straits Times. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  13. ^ "EX-MEIO DG to lodge police report over letter to CIA". The Edge. Bernama. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  14. ^ "Former Malaysia intelligence chief lodges police report over leaked letter to CIA". Channel News Asia. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  15. ^ Ibrahim, Ida Nadirah (6 August 2018). "Activist claims CIA itself behind leaked MEIO letter". Malay Mail. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  16. ^ "New Malaysian Cabinet to slash costs". Straits Times. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  17. ^ Mohd, Hariz (22 August 2018). "MEIO gets a new director-general". Malaysiakini. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  18. ^ Kaos Jr, Joseph (29 August 2018). "Ex-spy agency DG Hasanah remanded five days over misuse of GE14 funds". The Star. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  19. ^ Achariam, Timothy (12 April 2021). "High Court grants discharge not amounting to acquittal to ex-spy chief in RM50m CBT case". The Edge. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  20. ^ Karim, Khairah (12 April 2021). "Ex-spy chief granted DNAA after prosecution decides to withdraw CBT charge". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  21. ^ Hamdan, Nurbaiti (10 August 2022). "Ex-spy chief gets a full acquittal". The Star. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  22. ^ 2023 Federal Spending Budget (PDF) (Report). Ministry of Finance. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Foreign
intelligence
A
  • Afghanistan: GDI
  • Albania: SHISH
  • Algeria: DRS
  • Angola: SIE
  • Argentina: AFI
  • Armenia: NSS
  • Austria: DSN
  • Australia: ASIS
  • Azerbaijan: XKX
B
C
  • Cameroon: BMM
  • Canada: CSIS
  • Chad: ANS
  • Chile: ANI
  • China: MSS
  • Congo (Democratic Republic of): ANR
  • Croatia: SOA
  • Cuba: DI
  • Czech Republic: ÚZSI
D
  • Denmark: FE
  • Djibouti: BSRG
E
  • Ecuador: SENAIN
  • Egypt: Mukhabarat
  • Estonia: EFIS
  • Ethiopia: NISS
F
G
  • Gambia: SIS
  • Georgia: GIS
  • Germany: BND
  • Ghana: BNI, BGU, RDU
  • Greece: EYP
H
  • Hungary: IH
I
  • India: RAW
  • Indonesia: BIN
  • Iran: VAJA
  • Iraq: INIS
  • Ireland: G2
  • Israel: Mossad
  • Italy: AISE
  • Ivory Coast: NSC
J
  • Japan: CIRO
  • Jordan: GID
K
  • Kazakhstan: Syrbar
  • Kenya: NIS
  • Kyrgyzstan: UKMK
  • Kuwait: KSS
L
  • Latvia: SAB
  • Liberia: NSA
  • Lithuania: VSD
  • Lebanon: GDGS
  • Libya: MJ
M
  • Malaysia: MEIO
  • Mexico: CISEN
  • Moldova: SIS
  • Mongolia: GIA
  • Montenegro: ANB
  • Morocco: DGST
  • Mozambique: SISE
  • Republic of North Macedonia: UBK
N
O
  • Oman: Palace Office
P
  • Pakistan: ISI
  • Papua New Guinea: NIO
  • Philippines: NICA
  • Poland: AW
  • Portugal: SIED
Q
R
  • Romania: SIE
  • Russia: SVR
S
  • Saudi Arabia: GIP
  • Serbia: BIA
  • Sierra Leone: CISU
  • Singapore: SID
  • Slovakia: SIS
  • Slovenia: SOVA
  • Somalia: NISA
  • South Africa: SSA
  • South Korea: NIS
  • Spain: CNI
  • Sri Lanka: SIS
  • Sudan: GIS
  • Sweden: KSI
  • Switzerland: NDB
  • Syria: GSD
T
  • Taiwan: NSB
  • Tajikistan: GKNB
  • Tanzania: TISS
  • Thailand: NIA
  • Togo: NIA
  • Tunisia: TIA
  • Turkey: MİT
  • Turkmenistan: MNS
U
  • Uganda: ESO
  • Ukraine: SZRU
  • United Arab Emirates: SIA
  • United Kingdom: SIS (MI6)
  • United States: CIA
  • Uzbekistan: SSS
V
Domestic
intelligence
A
  • Algeria: CSS
  • Angola: SINSE
  • Argentina: AFI
  • Australia: ASIO
  • Austria: DSN
  • Azerbaijan: DTX
B
  • Bangladesh: SB
  • Belarus: KGB RB
  • Belgium: VS/SE
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina: SIPA
  • Botswana: DIS
  • Brazil: PF
  • Brunei: IRD
  • Bulgaria: DANS
  • Burundi: SNR
C
  • Canada: CSIS
  • Chile: ANI
  • China: MSS
  • Colombia: DNI
  • Congo (Democratic Republic of): ANR
  • Croatia: SOA
  • Czech Republic: BIS
D
E
  • Egypt: EHS
  • Estonia: KAPO
F
G
H
I
J
K
  • Kazakhstan: NSC
  • Kenya: NIS
  • Kosovo: AKI
L
M
  • Macau: DS
  • Malaysia: SB
  • Moldova: SIS
  • Republic of North Macedonia: IA
N
  • Netherlands: NCTV
  • New Zealand: NZSIS
  • Nigeria: SSS
  • North Korea: SSD
  • Norway: PST
O
P
  • Pakistan: IB, FIA
  • Palestine: PSS
  • Paraguay: SNI
  • Peru: DINI
  • Philippines: NBI, NICA
  • Poland: ABW, SOP, SM
  • Portugal: SIS
R
S
  • Saudi Arabia: Mabahith
  • Serbia: BIA
  • Singapore: ISD
  • Somalia: NISA
  • South Africa: SSA
  • South Korea: Intelligence Bureau, KNPA
  • Spain: CITCO
  • Sri Lanka: SIS
  • Sweden: SÄPO
  • Switzerland: NDB
  • Syria: GSD
T
U
V
  • Venezuela: SEBIN
  • Vietnam: TC5 (vi)
Z
Military
intelligence
A
  • Algeria: DCSA
  • Angola: SIM
  • Australia: DIO
  • Austria: HNaA
B
  • Bangladesh: DGFI
  • Belarus: GRU MO RB
  • Belgium: ADIV/SGRS
  • Brazil: DIE
C
D
  • Denmark: FE
E
  • Egypt: DMISR
F
  • Finland: PE TIEDOS
  • France: DRM, DGSE
G
  • Germany: MAD
  • Ghana: MIU
H
  • Hungary: KNBSZ
I
J
  • Japan: MIC
K
  • Kazakhstan: NSC
L
M
N
P
  • Pakistan: MI, NI, AI
  • Philippines: ISAFP
  • Poland: SKW, SWW
  • Portugal: CISMIL
R
  • Romania: DGIA
  • Russia: GRU
S
  • Saudi Arabia: AFISC
  • Serbia: VBA, VOA
  • Singapore: MIO
  • Slovakia: VS
  • Slovenia: OVS
  • South Africa: SANDF-ID
  • South Korea: DIA, DCC
  • Spain: CIFAS
  • Sri Lanka: DMI
  • Sweden: MUST
  • Switzerland: MND, LWND
  • Syria: MI, AFID
T
U
  • Ukraine: HUR MO
  • United Kingdom: DI
  • United States: DIA
V
Signals
intelligence
A
B
C
E
F
G
  • Germany: BND
  • Ghana: RDU
I
J
K
  • Kazakhstan: NSC
N
P
R
  • Romania: STS
  • Russia: Spetssvyaz
S
  • Saudi Arabia: PSS
  • South Africa: SSA
  • Spain: CCN
  • Sweden: FRA
  • Switzerland: NDB
  • Syria: MI
T
U
Imagery
intelligence
Financial
intelligence
Criminal
intelligence
Intelligence
alliancesRelated
topics
  • Border guard
  • Coast guard
  • Customs
  • Law enforcement agency
    • Types
  • Intelligence agency
  • v
  • t
  • e
Executive branch
Federal Ministries
  • Prime Minister's Department
  • Agriculture and Food Industries
  • Communications
  • Defence
  • Digital
  • Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Energy Transition and Public Utilities
  • Entrepreneur and Co-operatives Development
  • Environment and Water
  • Federal Territories
  • Finance
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Health
  • Higher Education
  • Home Affairs
  • Housing and Local Government
  • Human Resources
  • Investment, Trade and Industry
  • National Unity
  • Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability
  • Plantation Industries and Commodities
  • Rural and Regional Development
  • Science, Technology and Innovation
  • Tourism, Arts and Culture
  • Transport
  • Women, Family and Community Development
  • Works
  • Youth and Sports
Commissions
Departments
Other agencies
Law enforcement
Central bank
  • Federal government of Malaysia
  • Ministries and departments