Hishammuddin refers Liew to security council for answers on Saudi troop deployment

Asila Jalil Asila Jalil Updated 7 years ago · Published on 5 Dec 2018 1:56PM · 4 Comments

Former defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein says the deputy defence minister should speak to the National Security Council on the matter of Malaysian troops being deployed to Saudi Arabia without the knowledge and approval of the cabinet. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 5, 2018.

FORMER defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein refused to comment on Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong’s revelations that that Malaysian troops were deployed to Saudi Arabia without the knowledge and approval of the cabinet.

Hishammuddin told reporters in Parliament today that Liew should ask the National Security Council (NSC) to reveal the ministry’s activities.

“He (Liew) said it was not brought to the cabinet. (He should) ask our internal intelligence, ask NSC, ask them what we actually did.

“But the information should be declassified because they are of national interests,” he said.

Pressed to answer if the deployment of troops was brought to the cabinet for approval, Hishammuddin reiterated that Liew should know the role of the NSC.

“He has to know what the NSC is; I think he does not know what the government is all about. I think they also don’t know how to be ministers,” he said.

About 90 officers and 62 rank-and-file troops were deployed to Riyadh in 2015 during Hishammuddin’s tenure as defence minister.

On Monday, Liew revealed that the men had been brought back on September 4 as the new Pakatan Harapan government did not believe the deployment was in line with Malaysia’s policy of neutrality.

However, Liew said the matter should be brought to the cabinet as it involves an allocation. 

He said RM14 million was allocated in the span of three years and many inviduals were involved. 

“It should be brought to the cabinet because it involves allocations for 12 rotations of quite a number of soldiers,” he told reporters in Parliament lobby today. 

Liew said the nation’s foreign policy is to be “non-aligned”, meaning the country is only involved in international conflicts under the United Nations framework. 

“If it clashes with the national policy, it should get approval from the cabinet for it to be excluded under the national policy framework,” he added. – December 5, 2018.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • What national security? You mean Yamen is going to attack Malaysia?

    Posted 7 years ago by Vincent Chen · Reply

  • Hisam does not understand the Malaysia's stand is of being neutral in any conflict of other countries. As a minister, he has committed a wrong and thus failed badly.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Hishammuddin is diverting the issues. By skirting around on the NSC , he has indeed togather with his cousin brother voilated the country security integrity by making decision all by themselves and using NSC as front on their go ahead. He is intimidating Liew for his position as a newbie and gagging it by not to declassify the intent. Both cousin are traitors to the country. Patriot and the army veterans should call on Hishammuddin to be charged by his designation as an Ex defence Minister in the Military court. All those army personnel who have who have just came back

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • Cont : should lodge a report against the insidious decision by Hishammuddin and his cousin brother who was the Ex PM. Arrest them both immediately and haul them to be on Miliatry trial for jeopardising the army personnel and stupidly calling a war with Yemen by supporting Saudi Arabia All these done by their whims and fancies without parliament and country apporval. Deployment of our country troops clandestinely into foreign countries are way beyond responsibility and recklessness which could result in a far reaching effect by placing the country into danger. Deployment of arm forces be it for espionage , administrative advisor or in the full battle front is an outright declaration of the war against another country. Are both the cousin brothers insanely stupid and blinded by power and greed to complicit in such atrocious war which have nothing at all to do with Malaysia. Incredible that such intellect devoid leaders are allow to run a country and yet can still be adamant in being heroic in a foolish response. Both of them should be dealt with severly and if guilty both should shot to death. PH Government should start governing with firm hands and allow, especially from UmnoPAS to ridicule the country in moving towards the rule of law stature. Enough is enough. Too much damages has been done by Umno PAS and it is not that rakyat are requesting for revengeful actions but more to deter any future recurrence. Justice needs to be served so that the country tracks will hold firm and not derail for the leap forward.

      Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply