THE Malaysian armed forces are not cheap labour and are trained professional killers to protect the nation, said the National Patriots’ Association (Patriot). 

The country’s army personnel are highly skilled in their own respective roles and carry out their duties that no civilian could do, said Patriot president Brig-Gen (rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji.

“They are trained to go through and be able to endure hardship. 

“All of them understood that the moment they signed and be enlisted, they have to be prepared to die, even be sacrificed for the success of any vital mission,” he said in a statement today.

Arshad was responding to tycoon Koon Yew Yin blog post, who suggested that armed forces personnel should replace foreign workers at Felda plantations as one of the means to address the country’s bloated civil service.

“As you know, the armed forces personnel are doing nothing except eating and sleeping,” he said.

“In fact, almost all of them have never fired a shot except at target practice. Some of them should replace the foreign workers in the Felda plantations.”

The article has since been removed following stinging criticism.

Arshad said this is the second time in less than two months someone viewed military personnel as cheap labour. 

“The first time was when former Sabah chief minister Harris Salleh suggested redirecting excess military personnel to ‘assist the government uplift and stabilise the rural village community’, including sending them to work as security guards and the women personnel to help clean houses and conduct courses for housewives.”

Such suggestions, Arshad said, are ridiculous and show their sheer ignorance of the role of the armed forces.

“It is true that after 1989 the war with communist insurgents ended and we are now in peacetime. 

“But currently we have our troops in foreign peace-keeping missions, maritime patrols and guarding our national borders.

“These are missions where our men in uniform are within harm’s way.”

The veteran army personnel said this being in peacetime does not mean the military personnel are doing nothing, as what Koon mentioned. 

“Their main preoccupation is to train for war. This, the civilians and politicians cannot comprehend as they do not see the possibility of any war. 

“They are also on perpetual alert to help the civilian authorities in case of natural disaster.”

Arshad said the strength of the armed forces, their discipline and high morale are necessary as a deterrent against any form of threat and aggression. 

“It gives clout to our nation’s leaders when dealing with foreign leaders. 

“If our military is disorganised, poorly trained, ill-disciplined and low in morale, our leaders lose esteem and gain no respect, an element very necessary in international relations.”

Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong said yesterday the military’s role remained misunderstood even though he had explained it at length. 

“During peacetime, the military has the role of assisting the agencies and taking part in international missions. The military is the last resort for the country.

“I urge all Malaysians, regardless of their race, economic class, military or civilians to understand the role and the sacrifices of our military and to be more careful when issuing such statements in the future.” – August 14, 2019.