Exercise Your Vote Without Fear Or Favour, Vets Tell Security Forces
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- The police and armed forces personnel are urged to exercise their votes without fear or favour, National Patriots Association (Patriots) president Brig Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohd Arshad Raji said.
He said it was entirely up to them which individual or party they would give their votes to, as long as they cast their votes with pride and honour.
"For those officers in senior command, but are our juniors in service, we humbly remind you of your unquestionable integrity and honour.
"Do what is right for our beloved country, we salute you," he told a press conference here, today.
Mohd Arshad said when the veterans were in active duties in the security forces, some of them did not bother to vote, nor were they conscious of politics and political happenings back then.
"The peace that came to our country in 1989 was hard fought and did not come easy. Our focus then was to go to war, train for war, and be on perpetual operational standby for any quick deployment at all times. We did not have individual liberties like the civilians," he added.
Mohd Arshad said as men who had been trained to protect the country from foreign attacks, the Patriots' could not allow Malaysia to be destroyed from within.
"Peace and unity are our national treasure. We must not allow any politician to ruin it. This is our country and we must choose our national leaders carefully. Choose the leaders who protect us from all threats, for peace, unity and progress," he said.
Earlier, Mohd Arshad launched the Friends of Patriot project, which is open to Malaysian citizens who did not get the opportunity join the Malaysian Armed Forces or the Royal Malaysia Police.
He also launched the Patriots´ website, which can be accessed at www.patriotkebangsaan.org.my and introduced the Patriot Youth Leadership and Patriotism Workshop.
"The workshop aims to help inculcate the spirit of patriotism, national unity and leadership among youths, as well as help encourage our youths to enlist in the security forces," he said, adding that the workshop is expected to be launched around May or June this year.
-- BERNAMA
