BY NIK NAZMI NIK AHMAD
I refer to the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) Deputy President, Sharuddin Omar’s statement urging the army veterans to continue to support the incumbent government.
According to him, veterans have served the country and the government for a long time and should hold on to this principle.
I think this statement is totally inappropriate as each and every member is able to make their own decision based on their own principle.
I need to remind that the Malaysian Armed Force’s (ATM) mission is to “Protect the Sovereignty, Integrity and Interest of the Country”.
To equate loyalty to the country with loyalty to the government is a common misconception and must be corrected.
Patriotism is the love and loyalty to the country, and if a leader govern with greed and oppression, burdening the citizens, should we still continue to support?
The ATM veterans can judge the government’s sincerity for themselves when they were burdened with delays in compensation payments, misuse of LTAT funds and other policies which do not protect them.
I suggest the ATM veterans refrain from being sentimental towards the government of the day in their evaluation, on the contrary, evaluate base on love for the country and choose an honorable leader.
* NIK NAZMI NIK AHMAD IS KEADILAN YOUTH CHIEF
Armed Forces veterans can make their own decisions
