JOHOR BARU – Armed forces veterans’ group Patriot took some army veterans wearing green berets to task after they were seen with former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on his campaign trail for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the run-up to the Johor election this Saturday.
Its president Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji said that the former members of an elite security force tasked to defend the nation should uphold their principles and refrain from being tarnished by political and vested interests.
Najib is currently the adviser for BN.
"It is most alarming that our veterans – and trained commandos, mind you – are seen on the Johor election’s campaign trail seemingly throwing their support for a political party leader and MP whose appeal is pending following the court’s recent ruling that he is guilty as charged,” he said in a statement today.
He said witnessing the former elite soldiers gathering alongside Najib was both degrading and demoralising given that the Pekan MP has been labelled as a “national embarrassment” and a “plundering idiot”.
Given that Malaysia is a democratic nation, veterans can take part in political campaigns, he stressed, adding that retired soldiers must play a constructive role as responsible citizens.
“But to be seen attired with any form of accoutrements recognisable to the armed forces at such political campaign circuits – and more so when in the presence of an individual who has been convicted in court is not only improper and distasteful but critically in serious breach of the honourable stature of the vocation and the reputable status of the armed forces,” he added.
Arshad reminded veterans to uphold their pledge to defend the nation with a conscientious soul and refrain from using the prestigious green beret attire at political campaigns.
“It is paramount that as ex-soldiers we uphold the disciplined and rigorous training and military credos we were in benefit of throughout our active service for the nation.
“The wearing of the prestigious, honourable, and distinguished green beret at political campaigns must be condemned and stopped,” Arshad said. – The Vibes, March 9, 2022
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