KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the defence minister insisting that the Armed Forces Fund Board's (LTAT) ex-chairman General (Rtd) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor had retired, the latter has maintained his statement that he had resigned from the position.
Speaking to the New Straits Times, Raja Affandi said that the resignation letter was "straightforward".
As such, he said he did not understand why it was being disputed by the minister.
When asked about a cover of his resignation letter that was sighted by the NST, Raja Affandi refused to disclose the content, citing that he still respects the sanctity of the organisation.
"I don't understand why it (the 'resignation or retirement' fiasco) is being disputed, but I have resigned and stated the reason. However, I still respect the organisation (LTAT) and won't reveal the content of the letter (that was sent to both the minister and ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak)," he said when contacted.
It was previously reported that Business Times had sighted Raja Affandi's cover letter dated Feb 7 that was addressed to Isham's office, clearly saying that the former had resigned from his position.
"I hereby refer to the matter mentioned above. Attached herewith is one (1) original copy of my resignation letter as the chairman of the Armed Forces Fund Board for the attention of YBhg. Datuk Seri," the letter said.
The day after the letter was sent, LTAT announced that Raja Affandi had retired.
Two days later, the former armed forces chief denied that he had retired, but had in fact resigned.
Earlier today, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin persisted in standing by the LTAT statement that Raja Affandi had retired and not resigned.
Raja Affandi's departure came just a week after chief executive Datuk Ahmad Nazim Abdul Rahman tendered his resignation.
Nazim served LTAT for 31 months after his appointment to the post on June 15, 2021.
The two departures came a month after it was reported that LTAT's planned restructuring had been put on hold.
