The veterans in a photocall after the press conference. Seated from left are Sharkawi, Ratnam, Melintang, Wong and others.
KUCHING: Members of Persatuan Veteran Tentera Kor Renjer (PVTKR) are appalled by a speech made by chairman of Ummah, an umbrella group of Muslim organisations, Ismail Mina Ahmad during a recent religious forum in Kuala Lumpur that said only the Malays fought invaders and communists.
Its president Lt Col (R) Mohd Melintang Abdullah said Ismail did not know what he was talking about and that he should openly apologise, especially to soldiers of other races who had fought gallantly, risking their lives for the nation.
“Soldiers of other races like the Dayaks, Orang Ulus, Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups in Sabah had also fought gallantly to protect the sovereignty of this nation from the time of the Japanese invasion during the Second World War, the Emergency in the 60s and later the communist insurgency,” he told a press conference to rebuke the cleric’s speech at their office here yesterday.
“We have facts, records and names of the soldiers belonging to other races who had died in battles fighting the invaders and the country’s enemies. Many are still alive and are the nation’s heroes. What Ismail said is totally absurd, and belittled the heroic deeds of our soldiers.”
The loyalty of soldiers of other races should not be questioned, Melintang added, saying they fought against the invaders and the insurgents, and even sacrificed their lives.
“We have records of non-Malay’s gallantry fighting and giving their utmost to Malaya and later Malaysia. We have a George Cross recipient in the person of Iban tracker Awang Rawing who fought together with the British during the Emergency. We also have other recipients of Military Medal, British Empire Medals and other British army awards.
“How then can people like Ismail said people of other races did not fight for the nation?”
Melintang also revealed the names of non-Malay soldiers who have earned recognitions for their bravery, and received awards such as Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) and Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB).
Melintang’s deputy Col (R) Fabian Wong chipped in, saying Ismail’s speech was demoralising to the veteran soldiers who are still alive.
“Even those who have died might rise from their grave after hearing such an unspeakable statement.”
He even said that in a platoon of 30 soldiers, 90 per cent of them were non-Malays.
“We, the veterans and all soldiers in this country want Ismail to openly apologise.”
PVTKR secretary Major (R) Sharkawi Dawi said he too regretted Ismail’s statement.
He related how he was leading a platoon consisting mostly of Sabahan ethnics in fighting a battle against communist insurgency and managed to kill several of them.
Advisor of Persatuan Veteran India ATM (Perim) Colonel (R) Ratnam said there were also Indians fighting for the country and a few were rewarded for their gallantry.
He thus called on the government to make sure that the true history of the Malaysian Armed Forces is made known especially in the educational syllabus.