KUALA LUMPUR: Minister of Defence, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein questioned the Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad whether he has disputed the loyalty of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) towards the government when he was the Prime Minister for 22 years.
Hishammuddin, who is also the Minister with Special Functions, said Tun Mahathir’s statement disputing the loyalty of MAF towards the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday had hurt the feelings of every staff in MAF.
He said, he has reminded Tun Mahathir a long time ago that politics has its limitations and boundaries.
“Tun Mahathir’s statement has not only disappointed the Chief of MAF, General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor but all the staff of MAF,” he said to the media after presenting Best Service Awards (APC) and Medals for Services and Best Character (PPT) to MAF and Mindef staff at the Auditorium, Wisma Pertahanan here on Wednesday.
Also present were Chief Secretary of Mindef, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi and Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy (RMD) representing MAF Chief.
On Tuesday, Tun Mahathir criticised Chief of MAF’s statement that urged MAF staff to be loyal to the Prime Minister and support the leadership of Najib.
According to Mahathir, the statement of the Chief of MAF was against the Federal Constitution as MAF should be loyal to the King and the country.
At the event, 30 non- MAF staff and 31 MAF staff were recipients of APC Awards while 13 received PPT Awards and 20 students were granted the Best Academic Awards.
Hishammuddin also mentioned the Prime Minister, Najib’s announcement today (Wednesday) regarding the shortening of the promotion period for civil servants following Time Based from 13 years to 10 years effective on January 2018.
“In this exercise, 8,461 MAF staff will receive the benefits from the initiative announced by the Prime Minister,” he said.
- Malaysia World News
