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Serving armed forces personnel must not take part in political party polls

Patriot

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Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) implores the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence to fully investigate the reasons that led its personnel to take part in the PKR party election.

Recent news reports stating that 30 armed forces personnel were found to have taken part in the Selangor PKR election on 20 October are of serious concern if true.

Such conduct seriously contravenes armed forces regulations that forbid serving armed forces personnel from taking part in any form of activity involving political parties. Furthermore, the Armed Forces Council Orders do not allow any personnel to be a member of any political party.

Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) implores the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence to fully investigate the reasons that led its personnel to take part in the PKR party election. If the report is true, swift and appropriate disciplinary action must be taken against those responsible.

Commanders must also answer the question why regulations are not followed, and if there are also other armed forces personnel joining other political parties, besides PKR. Commanders should have full control of the men in their command. Claiming ignorance of their personnel being political party members is unacceptable. Every armed forces personnel upon enlistment must know that there are restrictions imposed forbidding them from participating in any form of political activity.

It must be remembered that the armed forces does not owe allegiance to any political party. It serves the government of the day, besides the sacred pledge to serve king and country.

Retired brigadier general Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji is president of Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
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Ganesan Suppiah
24 Oct 2018 7.39pm

Absolutely Correct. Amared Forces Personnel must be APOLITICAL.

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