Community leaders question criticism of military plane trip

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(Seated from left) Lawrence, Wilfred, Tan and Wasli are seen at the press conference with (standing from left) Pasang, Sia, Yong and Wong.

KAPIT: Community leaders here have questioned criticism hurled at the government for flying them in a military plane from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur last month.

Speaking on behalf of the community leaders, Temenggong Wilfred Billy Panyau pointed out that some of the community leaders, including himself, were in fact armed forces veterans.

“During our active years of service, we were flown here and there in military planes or helicopters, although now we’ve returned to civilian life. Now, we are ex-servicemen and the government looks after our welfare very well.

“For all our commitment and sacrifice to protect the country, we deserve the respect. I see no reason why we can’t travel in the military plane. To me flying in the military plane from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur was absolutely all right,” he told a press conference recently.

“Why should someone become a busybody to play up the issue on social media, as well as printed and electronic media?”

He was referring to an article in The Borneo Post on Tuesday where state Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chief Baru Bian criticised Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing for his reasoning behind the decision to fly the community leaders in a military plane.

Wilfred said many armed forces veterans were appointed village headmen as well as penghulu, pemanca and temenggong.

“We were appointed because the government recognises our sacrifices and commitment to protect the country’s sovereignty, integrity, peace and order,” he said.

Wilfred warned the critics not to use the community leaders for political mileage.

He added that they should instead focus on how best to serve the people.

Among those present at the press conference were Temenggong Tan Kian Hoo, Pemanca Wasli Nor, Pemanca Yong Thu Fook, Penghulu Abang Hamzah Bolhassan, Penghulu Lawrence Bantak, Penghulu Pasang Tuba, Penghulu Wong Kie Ing, and Penghulu Sia Shui Poh.

A total of 160 community leaders and grassroots representatives from the Kanowit, Kapit, and Hulu Rajang parliamentary constituencies travelled in the military plane from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.