Over the last few days there has been lots of talk among retired military officers of a spat between a retired officer of the Royal Malay Regiment, Colonel Roseli and the Defence Minister Dato Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over a statement made by the latter when officiating the Annual Meeting of the Ex-Servicemen Association in Seremban on Sunday 4th ,1009, that had angered Colonel Roseli.
Colonel Roseli who in his blog (colroseli.blogspot.com) have said that the words uttered by the minister at the meeting was offensive to retired senior military officers as well as soldiers of the other races, and is also likely to cause a rift between retired officers and the soldiers. Colonel Roseli wasn't specific as regards to what the minister had actually said, and this leaves the matter open to speculations. Colonel Roseli had also demanded that the minister makes a public apology in order to put the matter to rest.
I am not privy to what had actually transpired between Colonel Roseli and the minister following this matter.But if the claim by Colonel Roseli proves to be true, then this will be the first exposure ever that a retired military officer has the audacity to parry with a minister over what he (Colonel Roseli) claims to be wrongful. On the other hand, if the minister believes that his speech has been misconstrued, he then need to correct it so that this matter does not get out of hand.
I am not here to make a judgment, nor do I wish to widen the issue any further. But I am aware that this matter has caused deep concern among some retired senior officers of the Armed Forces whose past service to the King and country is unquestionable. This concern need to be arrested and address in the most amicable manner so as not to cause dissension among the retired senior officers. This is also to quell any negative views concerning the minister.
Many have given their lives in defence of the nation, and for anybody to say that they now no longer care for the nation and the soldiers that had once served them is mischievous and hurting. It certainly hurts me if some one says that to me, because my loyalty to King and country is not only when I was in uniform, but it is life long.
The same is felt by all serving and retired officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces. Loyalty is a supreme factor in the Armed Forces, and without it, there can never be an Armed Forces.
And I can also say with much certainty that the officers loyalty to their soldiers is also life long. But to continue to provide physical care to them and their families should no longer be the burden of the retired officers, but other government institutions including the Ex-Servicemen Association and the Veteran Affairs Department.
I, and including many other retired officers of the Armed Forces do hope that the spat between the minister and Colonel Roseli can be resolved amicably and any animosity that arose out of it should be forgiven and forgotten.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
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Sir... it looks like there will be swimming pool, futsal court and wi-fi at PUSASDA camp... :D ISA won with huge majority.. and even more huge majority with Postal votes... Kalau Indon serang.. sure kalah ni... askar kita dah jadi lagu tu....
Anyway... i salute to those 601... event if they are only army wives...
Congratulation to Dato' Seri Isa. Now let us sit back and see the fun in Negeri Sembilan Politics.
Dato'
Salam.
Dato' said your loyalty to the King and the Country is life long, thats well and good.
But the soldiers nowdays are loyal to 'duit' and 'kebendaan', nak hidup!
So how?
Dear Dato,
To be honest with you I think Zahid Hamidi is not fit to be a minister what more Minister of Defence.If you can remember Zahid is the only UMNO youth Head that was not given a minister post and now Khairy .
Last week Zahid make a press statement in Utusan Malaysia that all officers from 2nd liuetenant to general will have their pay cut by 10% and the money will be credited into their wifes account.
2.The reason for the pay cut was to make sure the officers wife are not neglected.Its shameful to the officers corp,an officer who cannot manage his personal life are not fit to command their soldiers and they are equal to other ranks.
3 And what shock me was there was no objection from the officers corp,semuanya macam lembu dicucuk hidung.GOD BLESS THE ARMED FORCES !
Never will be a person who says tak cukup akan cukup!
It is very subjective!
Benda tu semua orang mau!
Kalau tak mampu jangan lah mau juga!
NAK BUAT BENDA SALAH ITU IKUT NAFSU!
DAN DAPAT CARA TIDAK BETUL TETAP SALAH!
SO THE POOR SOLDIER HAS TO ENDURE A HARD LIFE
OLD SOLDIERS SLOG FOR WEEKS AND MONTHS IN THE THICK JUNGLES OF THIS COUNTRY BEFORE
THEY EAT SIMPLE RATIONS AND SURVIVE DAY IN DAY OUT
THEY ARE SEPARATED FROM THEIR LOVED ONES TO ENSURE SECURITY OF THIS NATION
NO MATTER WHAT THE OCCASION IS..RAYA...DEEPAVALI...NEW YEARS...BIRTHDAYS...SOMETIMES EVEN DEATH OF LOVED ONES!
CAN THIS NATION RECOGNIZED THIS?
NOW SOLDIERS DO NOT HAVE TO ENDURE
IT!
HOW LUCKY!
IF THE MINISTER HAS WRONGED HE MUST BE A GENTLEMEN TO SAY AND ADMIT IT!
OTHERWISE IT ONLY SHOWS HIS TRUE SELF..A NOBODY!
Dear Dato',
I have received many SMSs regarding what happened at PBTM Negeri Sembilan AGM on Sunday, 4th October. Though I was very upset
and disappointed with Minister Zahid Hamidi's remarks during his speech, as "Mr.Nobody", I should shut up and leave things to senior ex-servicemen who are in better positions to "SORT OUT" the Minister and guide him to the right track.
Dato', I also feel that there is something not right somewhere and I must share my feelings with you and readers. The "spat between the Minister and the retired colonel" SHOULD NOT be forgotten but instead it MUST serve as a big lesson to both the Minister and the ex-servicemen to avoid similar incident repeating in future and in the interest of both parties.
I made phone calls to certain people, including those ex-officers and ex-LLP who were at the meeting. The President PBTM, Ketua Bahagian PBTM Negeri Sembilan( Current and Former)and many others, except the Minister, also gave me their inputs.
I have all the facts about what happened including the "war of words" between the Minister and the retired Colonel.
This "Uncalled For Incident" would not have happened if people were sensitive and well aware of what current PBTM is all about! It is a SICK and dying organisation playing sentiments against ex-senior officers. One ex-PAT, ex-Chief of Staff and one Brigadier who are now in the JKKT of PBTM can stand testimony of the current sad state of affair of PBTM.
It is a known fact that ex-LLP members of PBTM would do anything possible to discredit and create ill feelings against ex-senior officers. This modus operandi has been successful since the days of "ex-LLP Hero", PW Dato Zainol. Political leaders may fall prey to these ex-LLP groups which I thought had happened in the case of the recent remarks on retired senior officers by the Minister.
I personally feel that the Minister's remarks, though well received my the gallery of mostly ex-LLP, had hurt the feelings of almost all ex-senior officers I talked to. The damage had been done and it's up to the Minister and his staffs to carry out the "damage control" to continue getting the respect of the retired senior officers.
I totally disagree that the general welfare of ex-servicemen is left to PBTM! The Minister of Defence, KSU and Jabatan Hal Ehwal Veteran (JHEV), established for this core purpose, are responsible for taking care of the military veterans. With the presence of JHEV, PBTM should only serve as a social club more for social purposes and to assist JHEV only where necessary, in providing welfare services to the military veterans.
"Yang Keroh Perlu Dijernihkan Segera" in the best possible manner.
Salam YB Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Tamingsari
WELL SAID BY TAMINGSARI
BE A MAN
SHOW US YOU ARE ONE
MINISTER !
Anak Perelih: Well PUSASDA will get a swimming pool, FUTSL court so what?. Who the hell do think you are to judge the present Army quality. You fail during your svc and fail as ex svc. If you still in svc you must be "Shallow Hal"
Samsaimon: Be realistic. You rather want our soldier live in one room flat and tandas curah? Idiot.
aah: What you think does not matter. You think who can be better Def Min? You? Mat Sabu? or Dato' Arshad? or Komando?
Komando: Huh the person who thought he will be going to heaven. You like to curse others and do you realize that you have to seek their forgiveness before you kojol. uh uh uh. 'So soldier have to endure hard life'. So what are the svc doing now is to improve their life standard, better housing better pay (L/Kpl's pay is more than basic graduate teacher maaa) Why you seems to be very angry? Tak dapat business dengan Army ka?
Hamzali...
They should get those already, not because after being told to vote BN in a buy-election... watch this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htdEWzBD3l0&feature=player_embedded
It looks like BN only look after the welfare of our servicemen only when they need their votes... or commission from military equipment purchases... as well as over-priced construction contracts...
Hamzali'
So, after taking RM300, you can live in luxury for the rest of your life?
You sold off your soul and your dignity so cheaply!
I quite agree, the Minister since taking office has said so many things that confused the public, such as:
1. Forming Askar Wataniah Regiment in every Parliamentary Constituency.
2. Buying weapons systems through LTAT.
3. Buying 8x8 AFV for Lebanon Peace-Keeping Force.
4. Making a Press Statement on the promotion of CDF before getting the Agong's approval.
I would like to suggest rather than merapu, the Minister should concentrate on ensuring the MAF is able to fulfill its duty as stipulated in the Constitution.
He should worry whether the MAF could carry out its Constitutional responsibilty when the chips are down.Suggest he examine the structure and war fighting doctrines of the MAF, and satisfy himself whether the MAF can be effective against future threats.
He must walk the talk.Get the Army to show its operational capabilities.Make assessments and if necessary restructure and reorganize to make it effective.He has to ensure every dollar spent goes towards improving the capability of the MAF in looking after national sovereignty.He must learn and understand the business of the military in order to be an effective.
We have wasted so much time in not restructuring the MAF with the defeat of the CPM in 1989.However it is still not too late to do it if we really love this country.
To reorganize and restructure the MAF must be a political decision based on the Minister's reading of Malaysia's future political and military environment.The initiative to reorganize and restructure the MAF must come from the political master.The MAF will not reinvent itself without politcal command.
Hamzali,
1.Did you know that Zahid Hamidi was a 'rakan karib' and a crony of Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he was a very powerful Finance Minister in early 90's till his downfall in 1998.
2.During this period all multi million ringgit projects are given to Zahid's company by Anwar Ibrahim.The list of projects that was awarded to Zahid was published on PWTC notice board during UMNO General Assembly in 1997 after Zahid had claim that Tun Dr Mahathir had practice cronysim in awarding contracts.
3.Hamzali, did you also know that Zahid Hamidi was appointed as board of directors of 95 companys when he was UMNO Youth Head.Some of these companys are listed in KLSE and he was also a share holder.(source:Dialog untuk Keadilan edisi 2,penerbit Ikhwan Kamil,dicetak oleh Excellent Connection,3A,Jalan Mesra,Batu Tiga,Shah Alam ,Selangor)
4.During Reformasi year in 1998 Zahid was a strong supporter of ANWAR IBRAHIM and master planner for REFORMASI.He was subsequently arrested and detained under ISA.
5.These are historical facts that cannot be denied.
Regards,
Ex Royal Malay Regiment Officer
Dato'Arshad,
I salute the courage which Col (B) Roseli had shown in order to uphold the dignity of the ex-senior military officers. If the Minister is made of sterner stuff, he should apologise for the remarks. I did read his blog "Askar Melayu" and he is another person who has the backbone to stand up and speak his mind and uphold the honour and dignity of the former servicemen who had given their best years for the country.
I was rather amused to see Zahid Hamidi blaming (see Google News Malaysia)the SPNB (Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd) for the late completion of Desa Tunku Mariam Housing Project.The project comprises of 491 units built on 6.58 acres of land was just completed, way behind its scheduled completion date of Jan 2006.I think he knows the real reason(s) for the delay as he was the Chairman of SPNB not long ago.
Sorry I will not say it.Your guess is as good as mine!
I am just wondering what happens to the Shadow Minister of Defence?
Why so quiet?
We would like to hear your views and opinions on the MAF.
For example how would PKR prepare the Nation and the MAF for future conflicts.We want to see your vision please.
My salute to you Roseli,
Well done for having the courage to speak up, when most prefer to remain silent. A serving Defence Minister should respect and accord a retired senior army officer the due respect, being a politian and the servant of the rakyat. The spat is regretted and should be forgiven and forgotten, in the spirit of army tradition. The Minister should instead look into the welfare and well-being of Veterans who had fought two insurgencies and won, making Malaysia known in the worls for beating communist insurgencies and helping Malaysia to be stable and prosperous and putting the Minister in power. I am sure the PM would very like to see the Minister of winning the hearts and minds of the Veterans rather than "angering" them, least of all Colonel Roseli. Here, I request the Minister, instead win over the Veterans by looking into the REWARDS that should be given to the Veterans according to the Armed Forces Orders Volume II, 20 acres of agriculture land and one residential lot for all Veterans (Officers and Other Ranks) who fought during the Confrontation, the Insurgency wars against CPM and NKCP. In short, those who are eligible to receive Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) are eligible for the rewards. If the Minister cannot find the land to give, instaed give cash or in kind, houses, one for every veteran. That is one good way to reward veterans as they deserve it, far more deserving than politician, corporate figure, businessman, policeman and civil servant. The veterans, as I know it, are the poorest among the poor of the same categories mentioned above.
Please Mr. Minister, do the right thing and do it now. Thank you.
Fabian Wong
OLD Veteran
Kuching
017-851-5225
HAMZALI - ANOTHER CONFIRMED EAT UMNO SHIT AND DRINK URINE OF UMNO
TYPE - A1
1 MALAYISA !
GOOD FOR YOU..
FOR YOUR INFO I AM MOT A BUSINESSMAN
NO NEED TO BE ONE!
MY REZEKI COMES FROM NOT HUMANS!
IF YOU ARE A MALAY GOOD!
I DO NOT WANT TO ASSUME YOU ARE NOT A MUSLIM!
PERASUAH DAN MAKAN RASUAH....ADA KHAS PUNYA TEMPAT!
HAS A SPECIAL PLACE 4 YOU,
DO YOU KNOW IT OR NEED FURTHER EXPLANATION?
Hamzali show us your true self, don't send kids to do your work!
UMNO style!
Dear Fabian,
Lets be realistic the AFO Vol 2 is obsolete as the Federal Government has no jurisdiction over land matters.Where are they going to find the land to give to the Veterans.
I support your call for Zahid Hamidi to do more for the veterans.He should use LTAT's enormous financial resources and corporate power to help veterans to be on their own feet.
We need his intervention as getting projects from LTAT and its subsidiaries is almost next to impossible.It seems LTAT is under the control and spell of some party bending on building their own corporate empire.
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