Saturday, October 10, 2009

THE ARMY AND POLITICS

Rules have been breached; precedence have been set, and since there has been no ruling forthcoming by the Election Commission, politicians from both the political divide can now go into any army camp unobstructed, to do their politiking and campaigning during an election. Blood too has been split during the campaigning, and we even had one Abd Azeez Abd Rahim seeking solace in the hospital, reportedly having been assaulted by some PAS supporters. The police has yet to make any arrest, simply because they were not able to identify the person(s) that assaulted Azeez, spelt with two 'e' instead of an 'i'. (what a strange spelling).

Now, it is the BN that has broken the rules and set the precedence to new heights , and it is the army that has now become a mere 'tool' to these politicians. Why have the army stoop so low? To the soldiers of Bagan Pinang, please remember that your loyalty is to the King and country, and not to Isa Samad, the BN candidate and a tinted one too.

It does not really matter to me now whom the soldiers have voted, because their votes have been cast. But if they voted for Isa Samad because of the promises that he and the BN has made, and the 'bribes' that they gave and of which the soldiers unashamedly took, then I would call all the soldiers a scum. But if they have voted with a clear conscience that the BN is truly the only party that can serve them and the people well, then they have fulfilled your responsibility.

Having seen the malfeasance of the BN in Bagan Pinang by-election, especially with regards to the 'invasion' of the army camps without regards for the 'scancity' of the camps to political campaigning, then this has made the army seen to be an institution that is no longer apolitical.

This is a shame, and some thing that the army leaders today must take note of, that they should not be subservient nor feel beholden to politicians, and to willingly stoop to their whims and fancies. Soldiers adorn their uniforms with pride and honour, and be respected by the public.It is for this very reason that I still adore photos of me in my uniform, and how could it be possible that I ignore those pictures with the uniform that I had worn for 33 years?


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

15 comments:

samsaimon said...

YBhg. Dato'

Salam.

The name with 'ee' spelling is not strange! it usually belongs to Indian Muslim, Mamak to the Malays and Keling to the people of Penang.

This is the truth and nobody can deny it.

abdulhalimshah said...

Dato' Arshad,
If this practice is not stopped, then what is the use of having rules and regulations pertaining to conduct and discipline? I am not familiar with the Army regulations, but in the general public service of the Federation we used to call it Chapter "D" but it had been changed to a much lenghty title now. When I was the Secretary of the Disciplinary Board for those in the superscale level in the MCS( now PTD) we had asked some very senior officers to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for flouting the rules with regard to political activity. It only takes someone to write a "representation" to the Disciplinary Board citing the time, place and nature of the offence committed by an officer or officers involved in the breach of the rules. If it involved the highest person in the particular branch of service is involved, then the specific Commission or in the case of the Armed Forces, the Armed Forces Council should be the Disciplinary Authority.
The Armed Forces must not only be neutral but also seen to be neutral where party politics is concerned. It would be unethical and unprofessional if the public perceive the Army, Navy and Air-Force as being beholden to politicians. I think if no one takes action on this breach of conduct, ie. by allowing the candidate to use the camp for campaigning, then the top echelon of the Armed Forces should be made accountable.

Pak Oncu said...

Dato,,,,,,,, apa nak jadi dgn Panglima Panglima sekarang ni,,,,,, kaki ampu dan bodek......!!!
nak amik n3 dato ni nak bubuh dalam blog sya!!!

Mohd Arshad Raji said...

Dear AbdulHalimshah,

Rules governing the involvement of public servants (Armed Forces included) is one and similar i.e. to remain apolitical and not to indulge in politics....that simple and clear cut.

Public servants have somehow made themselves appear meek and fearful of politicians for no specific reasons. This has now creep into the Armed Forces as witnessed in Bagan Pinang.

I can say for certain that there is no one in the Armed Forces today who can stand up to politicians to tell them to cease politiking in camps. In fact what we saw in Port Dickson where soldiers in uniforms were given a hearty treat including 'cash rewards' is a sight that I despise.

I do not know what else to say Halim, and if this is not arrested, public servant, including soldiers will be mere pawns to politicians. The KSN and the Armed Forces Chief should wake up and do something about this.

Kepada Pak Oncu,

Dipersilakan lah.

nxforget said...

Salam Dato,

I been following your blog and leave comment for quite some time. From your past to present postings, I believe you are among the few who wish to see the noble institution you once served are protected from outside influence.

At times, I'm just wondering what would have become of me if I have packed my bags and joined the cadet back in 1977. Would I share your values and wisdom or I'll be just another one of those who bow to power that be and care only for myself.

I'm just curious as to what is it that makes these high raking officers can't stand to the doctrine of the military. They'll die for the country yet scared of the politicians. So sad, isn't it.

Unknown said...

Actually, the real problem for Malaysia is corruption. As a children of a former headmaster, I managed to learn that even the educationist is corrupted too. For instance, during the 80's my dad requested to be transfer to another school and the education department head for that region request for a RM5K "kopi duit" in order to be transfered. Furthermore, a lot of Headmasters accept money from books vendor, furniture vendor, construction contractor too. Thus, I'm not surprise that the military is slowly tainted by the politicians. Even our educationist willing to sacrifice Malaysian children to enrich themselves!

Mohd Arshad Raji said...

Dear Nxforget and Anak,

Thanks for being in league with me. I dare say that it is the politicians that have taught society to be corrupt, and please let us stand together to fight and eradicate this ill.

komando said...

Dear one and all, the picture is very clear!

The balls of this Generals or Panglima's have been castrated!

So what do you expect from "orang yang tidak ada teloq!"

Politicians will do anything to WIN, jumpa BOMOH is one favorite pass time and jampi another!
MANDRUM ANOTHER ALL TIME FAVORITE!

THE BEST IS TO GIVE POCKET MONEY LAH OFF COURSE..WONDER HOW MUCH THEY GOT?

SO THIS IS ALL NOTHING!

UMNO IS WHAT IT IS...CANNOT CHANGE. THEIR TOK GURU TAUGHT THEM THAT...ANYBODY WANT TO KNOW HIS NAME?

komando said...

azzeez the mamak

THE AZEEZ MAMAK IS A CONFIRMED ROBBER AND CON ARTIST....ANY BODY WHO KNOWS HOW HE OPERATES HIS 2ND CAR DEALERSHIP!

BUYS WITHOUT PAYING AND CLOSES THE SHOP, GETS FREE CARS...GO ASK nTV7.

THEY GOT CONNED BY HIM ALL RIGHT...

PITY THEM FELLAS

NO COURT ACTION TAKEN...HE BRIBES EVERYBODY AND GOT ALL THE CARS FREE- VOLVO 9 SERIES AND 7 SERIES!

WANT TO KNOW WHO HIS AGENT IS ?

INCREDIBLE MAMAK TUKANG BELIT DAN PENIPU besar

NANTI PATAH TENGOK BETUL PADAN MUKA MAMAK KELING PARIAH NI SE EKOR NI HARAM JADAH!

Col Roseli said...

To ensure the military remains apoltical, perhaps the best way is to exempt therm from voting; afterall the military should only serve the government of the day. Furthermore, what's the use of voting if the personnel are required to write their names and BAT C 10 as well on the ballot papers!!!

In such a situation, it's difficult to blame the soldiers.

Also there's a plus factor; if they know the UMNO people or the minister himself. Besides promotion, for sure, they're not going to be posted to Timbuktu or Tawau, for that matter.

komando said...

Dear Pak Chad

Yes I think all military and police personnel should refrain from voting come next GE-13
The suggestion by Col Roseli holds water.

LET THE RAKYAT VOTE ALONE!
THE MILITARY WILL SERVE WHOEVER WINS!

THAT WAY NO CHEATING AND NO WILD ACCUSATIONS.

MUST BE SEEN TO BE CLEAN AND APPEAR TO BE CLEAN AND LOOKS CLEAN!

HOW ABOUT THAT?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

maurice said...

Dear Col Roseli and Komando,

Don't be ridicolous.The Army is not a stooge to be used by any party to their whim abd fancy.They have equal right to cast their vote as a member of a democratic country.Whom they choose is none of our business.They know which party that can be trusted to look after their interest and welfare.Please do not undermind their democratic rights, intelligence and integrity.

komando said...

MAURICE AGAIN !

TAUGHT YOU LEFT THE COUNTRY!

NO NEED TO TEST OUR INTELLIGENCE!

WE ARE ALL OLE COCKS!

YOU ARE A JUST A YOUNG FART!

Unknown said...

Maurice is the BN cock sucker...no doubt..!!!

Unknown said...

Dato,

Why PTD not using his power to stop bias in election campaign happening again and again...I believe he has seen this and realize that...Maybe he also living in denial as same as corrupted PM down to some of the voters...Is there any treat from politicians???Why they (ARMIES) so scared of politicians...I agreed with you that they have to shed off their uniform including the PTD>>>>a group of "useless creature" in the peace world...