Ex Servicemen Association President, Dato Mohamed Ghani was reported to have said that politicians are to blame for not giving assistance to ex servicemen, supposedly because these ex servicemen do not support the politicians (NST online,Sept 27).
I wonder whether Dato Mohamed Ghani knows what he is taking about. Don't he realised that he is himself a politician (a failed one), who should equally be blamed for not heeding to the problems faced by ex servicemen, before he points the blame upon others. In fact, I did in an article posted on September 19, 2008 titled 'Is the Armed Forces so ignorant' highlighted the plight of a disabled soldier named LCpl Maarof bin Ahmad, who for the past 16 years did not receive any form of monetary compensation or contribution from the Armed Forces. This soldier had in fact approached the Ex Servicemen Association for assistance but there was nothing that the association did to help the soldier. The soldier is a life member of the association whose membership number is 2407, and can be contacted at 017-6235113. And for the information of Dato Mohamed Ghani, I will soon be writing to the Chief of Army, highlighting the plight of LCpl Maarof bin Ahmad, and a copy of the letter extended to the Ex Servicemen Association.
I would also like Dato Mohamed Ghani to read another article that I had posted on September 16, 2008 titled ' Persatuan Bekas Tentera Malaysia' to understand what ails the association. Although I am not a member of the association, this does not mean that I have disassociated myself from the ex servicemen. In fact, I now have more time to look into the affairs of ex servicemen, and to assist them, to the best of my ability. An each time I meet them, they all have nothing good to talk about the association.
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It is distressing to note that every facet of our lives purpoutedly centres around politics. From running the nation to getting zakat. This is a terrible state of affairs and none are to be blamed except ourselves. We have relegated our dignity to that of a mongrel begging for bits of scraps which in actuality is our right and entitlement. We have fallen prey to the fallacy that politicians (from both divide) are high and mighty. We adore them, we praise them, we place them on a pedestal in which they are least entitled to aspire what more occupy. Everything is partisan akin the infamous Bush doctrine 'Either you are with us or against us' situation.
John F Kennedy once stated that a society that forgets its heroes are doomed. In the military, the observernce of tradition, the deeds of our forebearers, the sacrifices of our glorious dead epitomises the very fabric of military virtues. To betray that trust, whether in uniform or after retirement tantamounts to gross dereliction of duty and betrayal of trust.
We only need to observe how the British treat their retired Gurkhas. Despite being subordinate in status to any British soldier, they are never forgotten. The Gurkha Trust Fund managed by retired British Gurkha officers has contributed significantly to their retired comrades in Nepal. On the 8th December 1962 when the Brunei rebellion begun, the British Commander Far East Land Forces, Gen Tan Sri Sir Walter Walker was trekking in Nepal to visit his retired Gurkha soldiers. Likewise, once every two years, Tracker Awang ak Raweng GC is invited from Nanga Skrang to , Sarawak to London to attend the reunion of Victorian and George Cross holders throughout the world.Thats how a society venerates their men at arms, and not politicians. To be continued....
Abraham Lincoln in November 1864 on the plains of Gettysburg could merely orate these endearing words "The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain..." The 160,000 soldiers who fought and perished there overpowered Lincoln's sense of politics and power. Thus he humbled himself to utter these words that have become the guiding principle of sacrifice.
We owe our soldiers whether serving or retired, dead or alive a great debt. Esprit d'Corps and camaraderie are not embelishments on a uniform but ingrained albeit etched deep in the soldier's heart till eternity. To succumb to financial rewards and social status at the cost of politicising the military is a great betrayal to the last full measure of devotion examplified by the MAF and a transgression to the very word 'esprit d'corps'. Lip service may be the magnum opus of politicians but never the military. We beesech the senior leaders of MAF to protect and insulate this noble band of brothers against the proliferation and encroachment of politics. Lest we forget those who have sacrificed the best years of their lives for the nation. Gratitude late is gratitude denied.
In this time of relative peace, there are no enemies dug in to attack, no close quarter battle to prove our sense of physical courge. It is times such as this where moral courgae is tested to the maximum. Courage to do what is right and there would be nothing more rightuous than to ensure, to fight and to suceed in determining the well being, safety and comfort of the Malaysian men at arms. This is not the responsibility of one man or a group of men, but that of society at large. Nothing touches the soul than the inscription on the Imphal-Kohima memorial "When you return, tell them that we gave our today for their tomorrow". And i thought that a grateful nation determines the support and wellbeing of soldiers, serving or otherwise and not politicans or President of any association. To ensure physical courage when the nation is in harms way, moral courgae must beat the trail during peacetime.
Dear Lyneham,
I note dearly your comments which is brilliantly written. I would like to propose that you join me as a blogger, for I am sure your writings will benefit gays in the Armed Forces.
Dato Arshad ,
u seem to be well informed about the PBTM Persatuan Bekas tentera Malaysia state of affairs. Please let us know more as we heard a lot of hearsay stories about the wrong doing and criminal action by the commitee members and its President to the detriment of its members.
Thanks Dato.
Dear Walimuar,
Thanks. I will certainly reveal what I know of PBTM. Should you anything, please let me know too. Regards.
Dear Dato'
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. Coming from a highly respectable albeit articulate person such as your goodself is an honour to behold. Your suggestion that I join blogsphere is enticing granted the ever increasing readership and myriad of specialisation in this medium creates an edge in the world of communication. For now, I do have to humble myself as maintaining a blog is quite demanding, in both time and mind. Be that as it may, allow me to contribute to your blog on topics that touch my heart. I believe by doing so, it may add essence and value to your writings, if it has not already achieved so. I am of the opinion that members of the MAF are reluctant to voice out their opinions whatmore put pen to paper and document their views. Your book on the deployment of MAF in Cambodia stands out distinctively amongst local military writers. The chronological descriptions were well structured and the lessons learnt were endearing and succintly related. Should one browse into any bookstore and realise the growing numbers of autobiographies produced by ex-CPM members, one wonders who actually won both Emergencies. In my humble yet ignorant view, the only manner to counter post-bellum perceptions is not by the imposition of the Printing and Publications Act but by documenting our version of the Emergency. Society would be able to weigh who the real villans are in that manner. Alas, this is not forthcoming with the exception of a very few as mentioned by Dato' in an earlier posting.
God Willing, with Dato's blessings, I would endeavour to contribute as readable a view as possible in this most relevant and informative blog. With Highest Regards.
Incidently, further from Dato's comments that my views would be beneficial to gays in the Armed Forces, I was reading line by line on issues that would incite the desires of 'gays' in the MAF. With the lone exception of Close Quarter Battle (in which I was refering to the conflict version and not the biological modus operandi), I could spot none. I suspect that it was an honest oversight. Nonetheless, my appreciation on Dato's compliments.
Do you actually need a Datuk to head PBTM...if an ex-lance Corporal has the passion and determination, I wouldn't mind be his PA (eventhough I am an ex-Officer).
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