SHAH ALAM – DAP urges the authorities to take stern action against a Pas leader who questioned the appointment of Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng as the first Chinese Lieutenant General in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).
Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim said he was disappointed and saddened by the statement made by Sungai Buloh Pas chief Zaharudin Muhammad, who questioned Lim's appointment just because he was Chinese.
Sim stressed that Lim was indeed qualified to hold the position as he has served more than 40 years with the MAF.
“The statement by the Pas leader actually insults the thousands of young Malaysians who wear the military uniform every day, willingly being away from their families, rain or shine, sleeping in jungles and at borders to sacrifice and protect the sovereignty of this country.
“When the enemy's bullets come, they don’t ask whether our soldiers are Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban or Orang Asli. But when an appointment is announced, there are those who place race above recognition for service and sacrifice to the nation,” he said in a statement, today.
The Human Resources Minister said Zaharudin's statement on Lim’s appointment also appeared to undermine the trust of the MAF and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the Supreme Commander of the armed forces.
“Such malicious statements reveal the true attitude of Pas towards the non-Muslim community in this country.
“Is the sacrifice of this Lieutenant General, over 41 years of service still not ‘worthy’ of celebration in his view?
“Should a soldier's love for this country be measured by the colour of his skin?,” he asked.
Sim said he also wondered whether Zaharuddin had ever heard the name of Rear Admiral (Rtd) Tan Sri K. Thanabalasingam, the country's first local Royal Malaysian Navy chief.
“Has Zaharuddin ever heard of Brigadier General (Rtd) Datuk Seri Goh Seng Toh and many other non-Malays of the soil who have held high positions in the MAF?
“Statements that are racial, seditious and treasonous in tone such as this deserve to be met with firm legal action as a lesson to politicians, regardless of party, to never play with the fire of racism,” he said.