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16 August 2019

Those who insult Armed Forces are our enemy says Malaysian Defence Minister







Mat Sabu: Those who insult Armed Forces are our enemy



Friday, 16 Aug 201910:47 AM MYT

By JUSTIN ZACK




image: https://apicms.thestar.com.my/uploads/images/2019/08/16/216037.jpg


KUALA LUMPUR: Those who insult the Armed Forces are our enemy, irregardless of their race, says Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu (pic).

"Lately, there have been several negative, even insulting, statements about our security forces.


"This happens because some parties have a poor understanding of the role of the Defence Ministry and the Armed Forces in protecting the nation's interests.

"The peace we have today is due to the nation's security forces, especially our soldiers, " said Mohamad during a press conference at Wisma Pertahanan after launching the Kibar Jalur Gemilang campaign for his ministry on Friday (Aug 16).



Mohamad, referring to two recent comments against the Armed Forces made by former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Harris Salleh and businessman Koon Yew Yin, said differing reactions to both statements were cause for concern.

"Don't look at it as a racial issue. How come when a former Sabah Chief Minister utters insults, netizens do not shout, but when a non-Malay says it, they do. I do not want that.

"For us, whoever insults the Armed Forces are the enemies of the country and its people, " he added.

He added that it was thanks to the Armed Forces' sacrifice that businesses were able to flourish in the country.

"The peace that we enjoy today is the result of our soldiers who are willing to risk their lives. Let us stand behind them.

"We can criticise but not to the point of insult, " he said.

He also confirmed that police reports on the comments had been made and that he would leave it to the police to investigate.

However, Mohamad did not say if the report had been made by the ministry or otherwise.

Previously, Koon stated in his blog that Armed Forces personnel were "doing nothing except eating and sleeping and that some of them should replace the foreign workers in the Felda plantations".

Mohamad claimed Harris had said that female soldiers could offer services in domestic help and to hire soldiers as security guards.

Their statements drew the ire of the National Patriots Association (Patriot) and Defence Ministry.


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/08/16/mat-sabu-those-who-insult-armed-forces-are-our-enemy#jUXy277toiLVJq6Z.99






Breaking his silence on tycoon’s remarks, Mat Sabu questions selective netizens
Adam Abu Bakar
-August 16, 2019 9:57 AM
2.1kShares
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.

KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu today broke his silence on a comment deemed insulting to the armed forces by a prominent pro-Pakatan Harapan (PH) tycoon, accusing social media users however of being selective.

Referring to the remarks made by Perak tycoon Koon Yew Yin, Mohamad said those who criticise the military could be considered enemies of the nation.

Koon had said Malaysia’s armed forces personnel “are doing nothing except eating and sleeping”, and proposed that they be recruited as labourers in plantations. The businessman has since apologised for the remarks.

Mohamad, who came under attack on social media as well as from opposition politicians for not condemning Koon’s remarks, said many people forgot the role of the country’s security forces during times of peace.

“To us, anyone who insults the Malaysian armed forces, they are enemies of the nation. It is a disgusting act and unacceptable,” he told reporters at the defence ministry here.

Yesterday, the home ministry announced that police would summon Koon over the blog post.

Mohamad meanwhile questioned Koon’s critics on social media, saying some were selective as they only spoke up because Koon is a non-Malay.

He said similar remarks were also made by a former Sabah chief minister, in an apparent reference to Harris Salleh.

“When the former Sabah chief minister told our armed forces personnel to work as security guards and the female members to work as maids and cleaners, there was no outrage,” he said.

“But people become angry and defend the military when this millionaire says our soldiers only eat and sleep and are better off working in plantations.

“I sense racial sentiments here. Why were the netizens quiet when a Muslim criticised the armed forces, but when this millionaire did the same, they became riled up?”

Mohamad said it was the armed forces’ hard work which ensures peace in the country, allowing businesses to make a profit.

On whether he accepts Koon’s apology, Mohamad said it was not up to him and that the case should be left to the police.

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