NICE RIDE: Najib (centre) arrives at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base to launch the Armed Forces Open Day. — Bernama photo
KUANTAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday spoke of the need for the people and the military to establish a strong bond so that the people can better appreciate the sacrifices of the armed forces in maintaining security and safeguarding national sovereignty.
He said the undivided support of the people for the security forces was contributory to the success of the national transformation efforts.
“Peace and national security were prerequisites for the success of a nation,” he said when launching the Armed Forces Open Day at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base here.
Najib said two components were necessary to ensure that national security was at its best, and cited these as the leadership and courage of well-equipped security forces’ personnel as well as the people’s undivided support for the security forces.
The prime minister said the ridiculing of the sacrifices of the security forces by certain quarters, especially the opposition political parties, showed that they did not appreciate the services of the military.
Najib said the government’s drive for national transformation was anchored on well-safeguarded national security. Compromising national security would destabilise the country, keep away potential investors, topple share prices and stifle development, he said.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin were also present at the event, which was attended by more than 30,000 people.
The prime minister said the nation had not faced any serious threat to national security since 1989 when it successfully overcame the communist terrorist threat.
As such, the recent terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu, Sabah, came as a shock to the people, he said.
Najib said it was sad that the opposition political parties resorted to insulting the security forces’ personnel when they were engaged in overcoming the terrorist threat in Lahad Datu.
It was also regrettable that the Lahad Datu incident was depicted as a drama and the Fatwa Council’s edict that the slain security forces’ personnel died as martyrs was disputed, he said.
“This was an attempt to demoralise the policemen and soldiers,” he said.
The Armed Forces Open Day is also being held at 32 other military bases in an effort to endear the people to the security forces. — Bernama