I read with utter disgust comments made by PAS Youth and DAP MP Charles Santiago regarding a cautionary statement by Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces, General Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal, over the racial furore brought about by now suspended former Penang UMNO divisional leader Datuk AhmadIsmail, as reported in Malaysiakini.
PAS Youth (no mention of person’s name) was reported to have said that the Army should “stay out of politics”, while DAP MP Charles Santiago said among others that “the role of the Army should be confined to barracks, and works at the behest of the government”.
Reading from the comments made by the two politicians, I can only conclude that they are totally ignorant regarding the roles of the Armed Forces. They have even failed to fully understand the reasons why General Abdul Aziz had to come out with his statement, which was plain enough for idiots like me to understand.
For the benefit of the two ignorant politicians, let me quote what General Abdul Aziz had said (as reported in all MSM) “racial issues are the most feared by security forces as they could lead to chaos”. Is there anything sinister in the 15 words statement by the General? Was he implying that the Armed Forces will shot anyone who creates chaos? What the General said is a plain and simple statement which everyone, including politicians, has been saying. General Abdul Aziz is concern and is absolutely correct to say that he fears racial issues could lead to chaos.
The maintenance of security of this country is the General’s utmost responsibility, regardless of where the threat to national security is coming from……be they internal or external. And being responsible for national security, it is wrong for the General to make a cautionary statement to the people, if he sense that some people are getting careless in what they say, that could lead to chaos and public disorder?
For the benefit of the two ignorant politicians, the Armed Forces has every right to be concern about what is happening to this beloved and blessed country called Malaysia. It is you, who seemed not to have any regards for national security. Maybe you were not born to witness May 13, and to savour the hardship caused by it. It was the poor soldiers that had to toil, sometimes not knowing where they will be sleeping, or are they able to sleep at all.
And for DAP MP Charles Santiago, please don’t ever think that the ‘Army’s role is to be confined to the barracks”. Please get yourself invited to an Army barrack to see what they actually do.
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It is extremely disappointing to note that these two politicians display ignorance over the role and tasks of the Armed Forces. Similarly, neither were able to fathom Gen Tan Sri Aziz Zainal's actual intent. The secondary task of assisting civil authorities has been the main pre-occpation of the Armed Forces since independence. Needless to mention that defence against external threat becomes irrelevant should internal unrest prevail. In fact, internal unrest could be the impetus of foreign military intervention. The Confrontation is a case point where 'internal' rebellion covertly supported by a foreign government escalated to overt military intervention (Labis et al). Clausewitz reiterated that war is an extension of politics but by other means. A more blantant interpretation would be that war begins when policy (read politics) fail. In light of this, the Chief of Defence Forces made the reminder taking into cognizance the need to remain apolitical and the possibility of the Armed Forces being dragged into the picture should a state of Emergency be declared. It has always been a tragedy when coercion meant against foreign threat be used towards ones own berthen. Under the shadows of Emergency, such is inevitable. Before such a situation occur, the General is duty bound to remind all and sundry of the implications that might befall upon the nation. The Armed Forces has much too much responsibility to bear than to play politics. That notwithstanding, politicians from both divide must realise that the military would inevitably be drawn in by due process of law, should policy/politics fail. The onus is therefore on their shoulder. We should be grateful that the Armed Forces has remain truly apolitical despite various coups experienced in this region in the last 60 years and I sincerely believe they prefer for it to remain as such.
The Hon Charles Santiago stated that the military should be confined to barracks (aka not intervene in political matters). Having cited SL Finer's dictum in his book "Men on Horseback", the Hon MP should also relate the author's supposition that military intervention in politics was and is very much the product of its tradition and culture. One of the most important legacies the British left Malaya (later Malaysia) was a highly apolitical military force. Subservience to civil authorities was displayed during the First and Second Emergencies, and the 13th May 1969 tragedy. Every action taken by the military force has been in concurrence with the law. Actions to the contrary were punished and made known to the public. If the Hon MP realises, the Armed Forces has insisted on the 'professionalisation' rather than the 'politisation' of the force as noted by Samuel P Huntington in his book "The Soldier and the State". For that, civil control over the military remains a paramount impertive in the Armed Forces. The military will only 'march out of barracks' through due process of law and likewise 'march back into barracks' under the same dictum. After all, it would fall upon the Legislative body to endorse a state of Emergency (with the concurrence of the Rulers Council)should that ever occur and never by command of the Armed Forces. The ball is now in the Hon MP's court.
Dear Lyneham,
Thanks for your well written comments, and from it, I know that you are well versed in military history. But unfortunately not for most of our politicians.
I hope the two get to read your comments.
Dear Lyneham,
Thanks for your well written comments, and from it, I know that you are well versed in military history. But unfortunately not for most of our politicians.
I hope the two get to read your comments.
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