"There’s no greater honour" Johnny Lim on shared duty for all, encourages more Chinese to join service

SHAH ALAM – Defending the nation is not the responsibility of any one race, but a collective duty that must be embraced by all Malaysians, including the Chinese community.

National Resilience College (NRC) Commandant newly-minted Lieutenant General Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng called for a shift in mindset and greater participation across all ethnic groups in national defence.

Lim said the current composition of the Malaysian Armed Forces shows an overwhelming majority of Malay personnel, with only a small fraction representing the Chinese community.

“There are currently fewer than 300 Chinese personnel in the military, both officers and other ranks, which amounts to just 0.03 per cent out of 85,000. That is a very small number,” he said during an exclusive interview with Sinar Daily at the NRC in Putrajaya.

He urged the Chinese community to view national service as an honour, not a burden.

“There’s no greater honour than serving your country. The experiences you gain in the military cannot be replicated elsewhere or measured in monetary terms,” he said, adding that he had previously written to encourage more Chinese youth to join the armed forces.

Lim, who served with distinction, described military life as deeply fulfilling and said serving alongside fellow Malaysians instilled strong values such as discipline, teamwork and leadership.

Reflecting on past trends, he noted that the Chinese community once had greater representation in the military, particularly during the formative years of Malaysia's defence forces.

However, over time, these numbers declined.

To reverse this trend, he said various initiatives have been introduced including relaxed entry requirements at one stage, particularly for enlisted ranks. While officer recruitment continues to uphold rigorous standards, efforts were continously being made to attract more Chinese Malaysians to consider the military as a career path.

He pointed out that the military continues to uphold strict selection standards and medical screenings, with even more rigorous processes in place for officer candidates, who must undergo multiple rounds of assessment. In today’s increasingly technology-driven environment, he added, the focus is on recruiting capable individuals with the skills needed to operate advanced military systems.

Image for illustrative purposes only. - CANVA

Lim acknowledged that cultural and economic factors may contribute to lower Chinese participation such as the pursuit of more lucrative or secure careers in the private sector.

“Not everyone is suited for military life; it’s tough, both physically and mentally. The same goes for leadership. A true leader must earn the trust of their team and inspire confidence,” he said.

Nonetheless, he stressed that national defence must be a shared responsibility and that patriotism should be cultivated from an early age.

He said that a sense of national duty should be nurtured among all Malaysians, irrespective of race, with schools and the education system playing a crucial role in building this awareness from an early age.

Recalling his own formative years, Lim shared how he joined the cadet corps in school and attended training camps during term breaks.

“Even as a teenager, I learned how to handle a weapon safely and more importantly, I learned about discipline, teamwork and what it means to be part of something greater than yourself,” he said, adding that he had always dreamt of joining the service since young.

He also expressed support for the government’s recent move to reintroduce the National Service Training Programme (PLKN 2.0), calling it a positive step in nurturing patriotism among youth, particularly within the Chinese community.

According to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, as of May 2024, the Malaysian Armed Forces comprises 85.81 percent Malays, 8.0 percent Bumiputera from Sarawak, 6.9 percent Bumiputera from Sabah, 1.5 percent Indians, 0.5 percent Chinese, 0.8 percent Indigenous communities and 0.6 percent from other ethnic groups.

Following the announcement of his promotion, a Pas leader sparked controversy after speculating that Malaysia could see its first prime minister of Chinese descent within the next 30 to 40 years.

In a now-deleted Facebook post, Sungai Buloh Pas chief Zaharudin Muhammad painted a hypothetical scenario in which Malaysia’s 50th prime minister in the year 2058 would be a Chinese individual born in Kampung Sungai Baru. His comments drew criticism online, with many accusing him of stoking racial sentiments and promoting divisive narratives.

Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has since clarified that the post reflected the personal opinion of the individual involved and was “entirely contrary” to the party's policies and values.

“The appointment of Datuk Johnny Lim is a historic event that should be celebrated by all Malaysians, not questioned - much less belittled - simply because of his ethnic background,” Takiyuddin said.

In 2018, similar concerns were raised by Pas leaders following the appointments of Richard Malanjum as Chief Justice, Tommy Thomas as Attorney-General, and Lim Guan Eng as Finance Minister. At the time, Pas leaders questioned the suitability of non-Malays and non-Muslims holding top national posts. Both Malanjum and Thomas are Christians.