AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHIEF OF DEFENCE FORCES AND TO ALL THREE SERVICE CHIEFS

I wish to draw your attention to the numerous appeals by Mej Nor Ibrahim bin Sulaiman RMAF (Retired) concerning the granting of some form of monetary award to the recipients of the gallantry award of JPP, PTU and KPK. (please view http://xnuripilot.blogspot.com). I think Mej Nor Ibrahim has written letters to various authorities to consider his appeal, and including one to the wife of the Prime Minister. I have been following Mej Nor Ibrahim's consistent writings in his blog concerning this matter, and I personally view his appeal as a “crusade in the name of justice for the sacrifices rendered by our soldiers, airmen and seamen in defence of the nation”. We know that some of the recipients have lost their lives; some maim for life, and others lucky enough to live to tell their story to their children and grandchildren.

I sense that no one really care about what Mej Nor Ibrahim is trying to do, and I think all of you fall into that category of military leaders who do not care as well. I am really disgusted that none of you could do anything to convince the authorities that what Mej Nor Ibrahim is trying to do is noble, unselfish and that can affect the morale of not only the recipients of the aforesaid gallantry awards, but to the entire members of the Armed Forces; retired or otherwise. Please remember that these are gallantry awards for exploits in the face of the enemy, and presented by the King; not awards that one buys.

You have an official forum to deliberate on this matter i.e. the Jawatankuasa Panglima Panglima, but does anyone of you ever thought of raising and deliberating this all important matter in the Jawatankuasa? I may be wrong, but I suppose non have ever thought of taking this matter up collectively to the authorities. Just in case that you do not know or have forgotten, the Jawatankuasa Panglima Panglima is a powerful forum, and if ever the Armed Forces wants to stage a coup d'etat, it is through this all powerful forum. I am not suggesting one, but merely to impress upon all of you the importance of the Jawatankuasa.

I think, what has really annoyed Mej Nor Ibrahim and including me, is the recent announcement by the Youth and Sports Minister that athletes who qualify for the Olympics will receive a monthly allowance of RM2,000, from a previous sum of RM1,000. He also said that the government would increase the SEA Games reward to RM10,000 for the first gold, and another RM5,000 for subsequent gold. For the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, a reward of RM80,000 for gold, RM40,000 for silver and RM20,000 for bronze. For the Olympics, a gold medalist is set to receive RM1 million, RM300,000 for silver and RM100,000 for bronze. What absurdity are these and I think the Youth and Sports Minister must be dreaming when he made the announcement. I am not at all surprise that these 'gallant sportsmen and sportswomen' will one day be eligible to receive the gallantry awards of SP, PGB, JPP, PTU and the KPK.

I would now like to make a personal request on behalf of my retired colleague Mej Nor Ibrahim, that all of you sit and ponder for a moment whether Mej Nor Ibrahim is right in doing what he did i.e. to fight for the rights of the recipients of the JPP, PTU and KPK. If you all think that Mej Nor Ibrahim is right, then for God sake, take it collectively to the government for its approval and nothing less, and not leave it to Mej Nor Ibrahim to fight it alone. But if you all think that Mej Nor Ibrahim appeal has no standing, and that the sportsmen and sportswomen deserve better, than I suggest that all of you resign collectively, and the many stars on your shoulder be thrown into Sungai Klang. I think you will gain respect by doing this.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

HERO'S WELCOME

My guess was right. All England badminton champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei got a HERO's WELCOME at KLIA yesterday. He had the Minister of Sports receiving him as well, and also a hug from the minister, including flowers to grace the reception.

He was then feted by the PM at his residence, and BAM was granted an instant cash award of RM 2 million by the PM, supposedly to pay for some outstanding bills.

As for our soldiers, airman and sailors, just look at how difficult it is for them to get a recognition and reward for valour and gallantry, and mind you, in the face of the enemy and probable death.

Mej Nor Ibrahim bin Sulaiman TUDM (Retired) who has been fighting a lone battle with the 'powers that be' to earn some recognition and monetary reward for recipients of the gallantry award of JPP, PTU and KPK is still unsure that his 'fight' will ever be heard; let alone entertained. Please view http://xnuripilot.blogspot.com.

Here lies the difference between 'soldiering and dying for the nation' and 'sporting for the nation'. The latter seemed to get a better recognition.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION