24 Sept 2012

Invitation to non-Malays

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen's Association has called on more non-Malays to join the armed forces.

Its president, Datuk Muhammad Abdul Ghani, said the country should have more non-Malays in the armed forces, which was 90 per cent filled by Malays over the years.

He said a minimum quota of 30 per cent for non-Malays should be enforced to gain a balance. "The percentage is not impossible to achieve if all quarters take the effort to promote uniformed civil services to the younger generation."

He said parents and community leaders played a role in encouraging the younger generation to join.

"Instil the patriotic spirit in the younger generation and make them realise how important it is to serve the country. Don't just look at the financial aspect, but consider the speciality, image and identity which come with the job," he said.

Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation executive council member Tan Sri Robert Phang said the government should work towards changing the mindset and perception of non-Malays serving in uniformed agencies, especially the Chinese.

"The image of armed forces' jobs, mainly in terms of operations and promotions, has been badly sensationalised over the years. Now, the government is in the process of gaining the reputation back."

Referring to the recent turnout at the Territorial Army selection in Ipoh, he said: "Now that the non-Malay numbers are looking better, I think the government and Home Ministry must put their participation to good use."

An ex-policeman, M. Saravanan, 59, from Seremban, said the armed forces should improve the benefits they provided to attract more non-Malays. "Both the financial and service terms must be improved at all levels, including for the rank and file.

 Easy loan approvals and public sector services alone are not good enough to attract today's younger generation. "They look for stability and sustainability when choosing a field for their career."

 A former soldier, Mohd Salleh, 49 said the lack of non-Malay personnel in the armed forces was mainly because of the negative impression given to the public in the past.

 "Though everything is systematic and organised now, most people still have doubts about the so-called 'double standards' that are rumoured to be rife in those departments," he said.


Source : http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/invitation-to-non-malays-1.147169#

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