Press Release from Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (PPM-005-14-22052017)

On 21 Nov 2017. 17/2017.

DEPUTY DEFENCE MINISTER SHOULD NOT SIMPLY

SHOOT FROM HIS MOUTH

The Deputy Defence Minister Mohd Johari Baharum is reported to have said that armed
forces veterans were working with opposition political quarters to 'topple the
government'.
He made the statement at the Pingat Jasa Malaysia award ceremony to 242 veterans
and surviving spouses in Jitra (FMT 20 Nov).
We, Persatuan Patriot Kebangasaan (PPK), take serious note and strong reservation.
The Deputy Defence Minister singled out some veterans who were in collusion with
certain parties in pursuit of their political interest.
Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan members, comprising retired armed forces and police
personnel, wish to caution politicians in office to stop issuing statements that may infuse
confusion, reservations and even fear among the citizens.
Malaysia is a nation that has a solid track record where the uniformed divisions have
stood faithfully and courageously for the Constitutional Monarchy which forms the spine
of our beloved countrys democratic history.
For the Deputy Defence Minister to even publicly claim that ex-armed forces personnel
are plotting to topple the government is not only dangerous, but plants seeds of
instability, divisiveness and suspicion among citizens, including serving and retired
uniformed personnel.
It is most unprincipled for a leader to state that despite the various aids and perks
given to ex-servicemen and women and their surviving family members, they are
aiming to become elected representatives outside of the current political party that
forms the majority government of the day.
Firstly, he needs to be schooled in what constitutes a government and why he must
clearly know the difference between a political party and government.
To even hint with malevolence by citing nations like Libya, Iraq and Lebanon is
tantamount to threatening a peace loving nation that is patriotic, loyal and fervent in
protecting peace and progress.
PPK will not yield to such irresponsible, divisive, and threatening political strategy of
politicians and political parties which believe they are the only ones who can and must
form a government.
We also wish to remind the deputy minister that questioning the efficiency and
demanding transparent, undisputed accountability from political masters is not
tantamount to toppling a government.
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On the contrary it is a patriotic duty of citizens to ensure that their nation of people and
the Rulers are always safeguarded from those who have ulterior motives fuelled with
pure self-interest and personal gain at the expense of the long term peace, progress
and development of this great nation, Malaysia.
Veterans are not living on the charity of any political party.
Neither must they ever remain sworn loyalists to any political party, either in power or
aspiring to be the majority preferred choice of the voters, simply because various perks
and aid are given to them.
To do so is tantamount to bribery and crosses into the boundary of corruption.
The veterans are paid their dues, pension, as enshrined in the policies and laws of our
nation.
It is the duty of political parties forming the government of the day to diligently ensure
that every letter in the Terms and Conditions for the benefit of those who risked their
limbs and lives to protect the nation and serve the Constitutional Monarch, is protected.
Politicians who sow seeds of fear are the true traitors of the people, the Rulers and the
country.
President
Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan
(PPM-005-14-22052017)