Khairulanwar Zaini / Current Affairs Department
From 1st July, Colonel Ishak bin Ismail caps his 28 years with the Singapore Armed Forces by being the first Malay to attain the rank of brigadier-general. The first Malay one-star general is clearly one for the history books, but the question remains whether it will be the only star shining for the foreseeable future.
The Straits Times lauded the promotion of the current Commander of 6th Division as “a milestone in Malays’ efforts to be fully accepted in the military”; it was only in 1987 that another brigadier-general doubted the loyalty of Malay soldiers by virtue of their religion: “If there is a conflict, we don’t want to put any of our soldiers in a difficult position where his emotions for the nation may be in conflict with his emotions for his religion … We don’t want to put anybody in that position where he feels he is not fighting a just cause, and perhaps worse, maybe his side is not the right side.” (Then-BG (Res) Lee Hsien Loong, who was also then Second Minister for defence.)
BG Ishak: Trailblazer or token?
There are many unresolved issues in the prickly relationship between the government and the largest minority race, particularly about its role in the military. Member of Parliament Zaqy Mohamad acknowledged in TODAY that COL Ishak’s promotion “dispels some talk” of “Malays (not) serving in the upper echelons of the SAF”. However, is COL Ishak a trailblazer or, in Mr Zaqy’s own words, the “token”?
Citing sui generis examples like COL Ishak as testament of progress has its limitations. That it required 44 years post-independence to see a Malay general indicate progress long overdue; meanwhile, the single Malay general reflects another somber truth: while Malays are arguably more integrated into the rank-and-file of the SAF, their representation in the officer and staff ranks remains lamentable.
The harsh reality is that COL Ishak, foisted to be the standard bearer for Malay achievement in the military, is also the exception. Furthermore, it is an open secret that certain vocations are made inaccessible to Malays for security considerations. Gradual steps have been taken to open hitherto sensitive vocations to Malays, but most remain tight-shut.
More work, and numbers, needed
Measuring the progress of Malays in the military requires more than the promotion of one man. The selective interpretation of the first but singular Malay general, or that the infantry has a high proportion of Malay specialists, misses germane concerns.
For a more accurate assessment to determine whether Malays are “fully accepted” in the military, more numbers could be made transparent by MINDEF without much risk to security: the racial breakdown of the officer corps by rank structure, and also the racial profile of every cohort that gains entry into the prestigious Officer Cadet School and the School of Infantry Specialists. Furthermore, a racial breakdown of manpower strength by vocation will be useful in confirming (or debunking) the veracity of anecdata that purports overrepresentation of Malays in combat service support such as transport, medical and logistics while being virtually absent in the more technical and sensitive combat arms like artillery, armour and combat engineers as well as the other two armed services, the navy and air force.
The Value of Citizenship over Race
Underlying this backslapping of “Malay progress” is the deeper issue of racial identities vis-a-vis a national one.
Ironically, efforts at racial integration has been impeded by the government’s own CMIO (Chinese, Malay, Indian and Others) policy that typecasts a racial profile for every citizen. The policy presupposes that every Chinese is a Confucianist, that every Indian is a cultural traditionalist, and that every Malay is a strict Islamic practitioner who prioritizes adherence to faith over country.
With a single stroke of an alphabet, every Singaporean is automatically embedded with a culture at birth; a child inherits the father’s ‘race’ – with all its associated trappings – while all possible ambiguities of racial identities are dismissed. Other than failing to identify with the dilemma of ‘mixed’ parentage, the government’s predilection with hyphenated-citizens undermines national identity for a more parochial racial one.
Not only does this policy results in the partition self-help groups along ethnic lines which can conceivably encumber social work efforts, it is also partly responsible for perpetuating the impression of the enigmatic Malay Singaporean whose loyalty is always mired in doubt. In the words of then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, “It would be a very tricky business for the SAF to put a Malay officer who was very religious and who had family ties in Malaysia, in charge of a machine-gun unit.”
As long as the government holds onto this perspective, the promise of Minister for Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim as mentioned in TODAY that “hard work and playing by the rules would bring its rewards in a meritocratic society” remains a distant dream.
Progress: Community and National Pride
Considering that Malay youths were not conscripted in the initial decade after the inception of National Service, Brigadier-General Ishak is undoubtedly a watershed, albeit much belated. While not depriving the man of his deserving success, it may be more prudent to dampen the carousel and examine whether the promotion has any effective and lasting significance on the notion of meritocracy and race relations not only in the military, but in the general public sphere as well.
1st July will be a proud day for one Malay man and his family, and the Malay community will collectively bask in shared glory. It will be a much prouder day for the nation if PM Lee Hsien Loong rescinds the policy statement that he made in 1987 and the government abandons the CMIO scheme.
The long-lasting hope to nurture and develop a full-fledged nation out of this city-state is laudable. That can be realized if Singaporeans, of varying racial affiliations and religious persuasions, can be identified for whom they fundamentally are, first and foremost: Singaporean citizens.
With contributions by: Ravi Philemon
Pictures from Mindef website.
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Finally a Malay merited a promotion to BG. A long wait.
What next? Next President a Malay? No Malay President since 1970.
are for window dressing as of and for now, any Race will do.
In fact, one may do away with one in SIN.
much as i dislike pap and irs policies, i think what LHL said in 1987 made sense…
This is something worthed celebrating. By looking down on Malays in the SAF, resentment among Malay soldiers would be the weakest link in the SAF chain of command. We need to do better to integrate Malay and all minority races in the SAF. Remember, we are Singaporeans first. Our nationality precedes our race, religion and language.
aiyoyo
more abangs to come?
aiyoyo
“Furthermore, it is an open secret that certain vocations are made inaccessible to Malays for security considerations”
Precisely. The moment I read the article on TNP, I knew it was an incorrect portrayal of Malays in the SAF.
Excellent, excellent, excellent write up. Thanks
4)smallvice585
By looking down on Malays in the SAF….
I think you had got it all wrong.
I had been working with them closely in a few uniform organisation and many of them appear to me to be more loyal than others . I do not feel that they are being look down upon.
However looking at the picture carefully,putting them in certain position will make them in a difficult position esp. when coming to decision making ,if there is a conflict of interest .,though I do not doubt their loyalty.
We can always have a Malay President,PM,SM ,CP etc but military position in SAF should not be taken lightly.
In fact I even feel that the SAF Organisation Structure above should be restricted and not displayed here.
My heartiest congratulation to Col Ishak b Ismail.I am proud of you.
The structure is available in public domain. Organisational transparency is the hallmark of a maturing military, not one that skulks in the dark.
hi agongkia,
What conflict of interest? You might as well say the same thing about Christians since there are some who subscribe to Christian Nationalism. If you want to single out Muslims, don’t forget to single out Christians too.
I always reckon that Malays always treat all their professions with prides
We should applaude Colonel Ishak bin Ismail on making BG grade, regardless of his race, etc. Of course, like President Obama, being a first in a position of importance is great pride for his community. But only the person himself/herself knows if it his/her position is gained thru merits or as a poster-person.
My personal opinion is that our BG grade is not much but a political statement since LHL became probably the youngest BG ever in his early ’30s. Now he is the “general” of our nation, the current “battle” is the recession (and declining visitors, ST, 26 June). Are we winning? Or are there more jobless, more citizens on the fringe, more earning less while he earns most? Is he “fighting” for the true-blue Sporeans or for the FTs/MNCs/TH? PERHAPS NOW IS TIME FOR THE GAHMEN TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON HOW TIME SERVED IN NS/RESERVIST IS HELPING SPOREAN MALES IN THE ECONOMIC SCENE. Are they paid better, has higher/equal chance to be employed, have sympathetic employers when they have to take time off for Reservist, etc…? Or are they digits?
I will be more convinced, if in event of war, the person BESIDE me taking the bullet has EQUAL chance to be either CMIO. Looking at percentage of our front-line soldiers, that person will likely be a C, and this doesn’t mean the FT/FW hordes currently here from C****! Is this because of merit, statement, necessity or discrimination?
Look at the FT from Malaysia, currently MP in AMK GRC — made STTA president. Meritocratic, poster-girl or apple-polisher? Her ability to “take cover” (& her Malaysian backup status) definitely preclude her taking a bullet in a war! Is she worth, what, $14K per month?
Again, congras to Col. Ishak. Hope he can shows us what a leader is to NSmen, regardless of race, religion, language, of course.
I am sure our Malays in singapore are proud about this ‘first’.
By the way, i curious, is he a PAP member?
or Grassroots leader?
i very kapoh wan.
9)Hi smallvice585
Agree with you but t I am not talking about religion here as I dun single out any religion.
By looking at the map and our surrounding,I put my position in the minority ‘s shoes and ask myself on certain doubt .Not holding sensitive position may not necessary be something bad.Again,I maintain that our Malay friend are loyal.
My congratulations to Col. Ishak Bin Ismail on his promotion to BG. The way I look at it, promotions in SAF to the higher rank are mainly based firstly on paper qualifications and then perhaps on merits. If one is a President or SAF scholar, one is surely to make the grade at least up to the rank of Col. The fact that there are very few Malay President or SAF scholars will make it extremely difficult for Malays to become LG or at least up to BG rank. After Col Ishak or rather BG Ishak, we don’t know how long more we have to wait before another of our fellow Malay citizen can make the grade to BG. Anyway it is a good start and I hope more will be able to make the grade like what BG Ishak has achieved.
I hope to see all races in RSAF …especially more malay fighter pilots and crew and engineers. Some how MIINDEF has “forgotten” to deploy them in these area. Need more abangs.
The litmus test here is whether the new General will have access to vital security information. If he had lesser access as compared to his counterparts, then it would certainly be a political ploy to win the hearts of the Malays.
However, let’s not also forget that he is the commander of the 6th infantry division and this division is the our first frontline against any threat from Malaysia. With the current hanky panky of the new Malaysia premier, it would be a good military ploy if SG install a Malay general to be in charge.
Think of it this way, Currently, Malaysia feels that Malays in SG loyalty can be split. So, if they go to war with SG, not only there is external offense but internal war can also broke out. If they put a Malay general, then the Malaysians would think twice about the loyalty of the Malays.
I am a Malay, but I do not think his promotion is a victory to the Malays until I see more opportunities, and lesser discrimination, given to us to prove our capabilities.
Hohum…..Malaysia had its first Chinese General about 8 years ago and no media fenzy on that story. In fact, our beloved ST forum had some letters saying that its was window dressing. Even, Indonesia has minority races in important Minister post such as Trade and Industry, etc. I wonder when Singapore will have that?
I have followed some of the pieces by Khairulanwar. Though no doubt a good writer and asset for TOC, I find his writings to sometimes be verbose, to rehash what is already known, and most importantly and ironically, to view things from the lens of the establishment, the very entity that he purports to criticize in the first place.
The problem with writers like Khairulanwar, Farquhar (“A Malay Dilemma”), Haireez (“Minority PM: Time for the leadership to take the lead”) and many well-meaning educated others is how they equate PAP politics with community progress. No promotion of Malays within the PAP leadership is worrying for the community (witness the major Berita Harian commentaries); no Malay Prime Minister yet (a position that is not even decided by the electorate) is a prerequisite for Malay progress; no general in a military body that is very much loyal to one party (witness the number of generals who have become PAP leaders) is an affront for Malays; no Malay PAP minister other than one that is in charge of collecting garbage is unacceptable. The list of conflating Malay progress with the PAP establishment’s policy is long. They think they are championing for change and progress when in fact these writers and others fail to see beyond the obvious and are simply supporting the status quo. Priding in seeing one of their own make it, they are still nonetheless prejudiced by the limitations in thinking imposed by the establishment. They equate community with party.
No sir, “a prouder day for the nation” is when we stop measuring a community’s progress and our nation’s progress by the whims of one party. While not belittling the massive accomplishments of BG Ishak, give me for example, Malay senior counsels, Malay Nobel Prize nominees, and Malay civic organisations with progressive agenda anytime over more Malay PAP MPs, ministers and generals.
you can’t handle the truth…..and the truth is that you can’t have such people guarding these door just as you can’t have Cubans guarding Guatanamo Naval Base.
“If there is a conflict, we don’t want to put any of our soldiers in a difficult position where his emotions for the nation may be in conflict with his emotions for his religion … We don’t want to put anybody in that position where he feels he is not fighting a just cause, and perhaps worse, maybe his side is not the right side.” (Then-BG (Res) Lee Hsien Loong, who was also then Second Minister for defence.)’
I do NOT agree with what was said above. Singapore will never be at war with a religion. If we have to fight a JI or Al-Qaeda attack from a neighbouring country for example, we are fighting terrorism, not a religion. A muslim in a high military position should be able to discern that.
On the issue of fighting a `just’ or `wrong’ cause, that does not necessarily apply only to a person of certain religion or vocation. A Christian or Buddist policeman who is arresting a dissident may also feel that way if he uphold a view that is different from that of the government. However, donning the blue uniform, he still has to carry out the orders and do the job.
I feel that it is a prejudice to say that this group is more emotional and less able to discern between duty and personal interest than another group.
#18Pride and Prejudice///They equate cummunity with party///;;;I thoroughly agree with your astute views and i am impressed with your understanding of this important point that many people cannot see or refuse to see. One of the main reasons, in my opinion, is the long period of ‘state-propaganda’ and ‘state-nurturing’ that everyone is subjected to, from kindergarden age onwards, with the result that a vast majority of the population have been successfully brainwashed by the PAPies. Therefore, i’d like TOC to take a more hard-line in their policy and i hope to see articles which can inspire the masses in their upcoming war against the PAPies.
Dear People,
Now that you have a Malay General – then what ? What can this Malay General do to improve the quality of your life ? Look – this guy has to toe the PAP line.
I have a feeling that he will be the next President as they need to put up a Malay candidate for the Presidency soon.
However – as always with the PAP – this guy will merely toe the line.
Yes Sir ! Yes Sir ! Three bags full !!
Best Regards
Dr Syed Alwi
While our leaders are preoccupied with the loyalty of our fellow malay comrades, what is the deeper issue is whether yr average NS men will take up arms if needed. It is widely acknowledged that mot S’porean male will just serve and f**k off, now with more salt rubbed in with the liberal FT policy. The typical S’pore male is a poor suffering soul, damned if you do, damned if you don’t. My main worry in not whether the malay soldier will turn the rifle, rather that nobody will even bother to do so, regardless chinese, indian or malay. NS is a hugh liability/ disadvantage to the 20 – 30% of our population (according to some estimates), who cares so much for the day to utilise what you are trained for. Ask the FTs and the foreigners to contribute and defend this wonderful country that they have discovered and wish to live here for the rest of their lives. IMO, more like rats who will not hesitate to jump ship.
Dear People,
I am sure that this Malay General will obey superior orders no matter what. That he will follow the PAP line. That he will NOT push any other opinions – other than the PAP view.
So how does this Malay General improve the life of Malays here ?
Regards
Dr Syed Alwi
Why should there be racial discrimination in the SAF ?
Liked what many others have said, if we are all Singaporeans.
What kind of loyalty can we expect from the fast becoming citizens foreigner settlers ?
During the Japanese Occupation, there were Singaporean Chinese working for the Japanese in many roles and there were also Non- Chinese, especially Malays, who fought and sacrificed themselves for the country as well as their Chinese Compatriots. Till today, many in China still remember the many traitor
Chinese that sold their souls to work for the Japanese who massacred hundreds of thousands in Nanking alone.
patriot
i get the impression our side is trying to sell our “meritocratic system” to our neigbors.
under the present religious climate, i seriously doubt the token gesture will alter the gigantic plate techtonics shift in an already polarized world.
it is not the military suit that’s making the people uncomfortable. it is the man in the business suit that’s the cause of contention.
That guy looks indian to me.. :)..
Pride and Prejudice>
Khairulanwar was using an actual event, ie. a ‘Malay Singaporean’ achieving a rank previously unattained by other ‘Malay Singaporeans’ in an organisation that discriminates against ‘Malay Singaporeans’, in order to highlight the failings of viewing such achievements through the ‘lens of the establishment’ (ie. the CMIO classification).
It is intersting that in your suggestion to highlight, as an alternative, ‘Malay senior counsels, Malay Nobel Prize nominees, and Malay civic organisations with progressive agenda anytime over more Malay PAP MPs, ministers and generals’, you also fall into the establishment view of placing that these achievements into the CMIO framework. You may have shrugged off PAP’s view of ‘progress’, but you accept PAP’s view of ‘community’?
@18) Pride and Prejudice on June 29th, 2009 10.46 am
Very good insights of yours. But I think we have to wait long, long for answers … Now, OTC was a people’s President, don’t care if he was black or white cat.
As mentioned in the piece, may Col Ishak be a trailblazer, and not a token showcase, just “to show that SAF do have malays in the higher echelons.”
During my time in the SAF, more than 15 years ago, we had our one malay Artillery officer. He appeared on Pioneer magazine every few months or so. But i’ve not heard of another malay Artillery officer since then.
and lets hope and see if Col Ishak continues to serve in MINDEF, and the 6th Division, rather than given a military attache position in some godforsaken country, away from it all.
We also had our first Malay SAF scholar recently – a few years ago. and a Sword of Honour officer too. I wonder how their progress are. there’s not been a follow up story since then. Which arm of the SAF are they serving? Have they finished their SAF scholarships?
Khairulanwar – Maybe you can research and do stories on them too?
And on those who say Malays’ loyalty will be at question – i echo those who said that if we’re ever going to war, it wont be for religion…but for country.
And to those Malays who might question their loyalty if we’re going to war – I ask one simple question – DO YOU THINK ANY OF THE OPPOSING FORCES WONT SHOOT YOU? that they only pick out the non-malays in a war with Singapore? Even if a war “based on religion” ever happens, you think they have special weapons that pick out non-muslims? JI wanting to blow up MRT stations, do u think those bombs focused only on non-muslims?
If you really think your loyalty to Singapore vs faith to Islam will be challenged, i just think you need to really sit down and think about it – what does the enemy think? do you think they’ll discriminate and pick and choose who they kill?
Col Ishak, sir, I salute you. I just hope to see you continue to command within Singapore, and at MINDEF… the pressure must be tough on you, as the whole of SAF is watching you now. your performance, your decisions, your every word.
To tryathlete:
Can I humbly suggest that you re-read Khairulanwar’s article? He uses words like “watershed”, “progress”, “history books”, “shared glory”, etc. and it is very clear that Khairulanwar along with other similar writers before him are intoxicated by these “developments”. Without the requisite sobriety, they don’t realize that a community’s or nation’s progress has to be far deeper than what politicking some dominant party of the day happens to be doing.
I used the concept of community, which is a fluid, self-identifying, bottom-up aggregation of, what L. Andaya calls, “market-place” identity (this itself already highlights the problems in defining progress of based on what one monolithic power does). Before the PAP, there were porous, fluid, vibrant communities of Malays, Indians, Chinese, Arabs, etc. and when the PAP is dead, there will still be those communities perhaps with different outlooks and demographic make-up. The CMIO framework is the “discursive” kind that is paternalistic, top-down, authoritarian sets of identities which anyone familiar with the academic literature or have lived through will know, do not correspond with the realities of the lives people lead (I for example, am Indian in the CMIO framework, but I have been completely brought up the “Malay way” and cannot identify one bit with the “Indian” in my IC, and I know I am not alone). I am not sure if you understand the idea of community formation and identity beyond what the PAP tells you (the unchanging, paternalistic, hereditarian, on-your-IC kind). To think I accept
There are fascinating issues as brought up by other good commentators but I’m afraid the famous doctor is now here to diagnose the problem. Anyone familiar with TOC will know what happens next. So, it’s off from me!
Hello (18) and (32) Pride and Prejudice
Fair point about the verbosity, you are not the first to point about it out heh. Still trying to improve and get the balance right; sorry about that (:
Addressing your concerns, the article was not about being ‘intoxicated by these “developments”‘, but to highlight the shortcoming of using this promotion as an evidence of ‘community’s progress.’
In terms of the lexicons used that you found disagreeable (“watershed”, “progress”, “history books”, “shared glory”) – I believe a closer reading would reveal that there are qualifiers to my praise. I cannot deny that the MSM narrative of Malay progress has some ground. From how I see it, the first Malay general is a positive net development given the historical baggage, but how much the promotion really means and matters in substance is the critical question.
To that, I think we still have more work to do – and one of that revolves around the unwieldy CMIO framework that requires addressing, which I believe that you can concur to.
#33
Exactly my point. Singapore claims to be meritocratic but discriminates subtlely, where else our neighbours do so openly with its NEP. So what is the difference? We have not had a single minority Minister in an important portfolio such as Finance, Trade and Industry or Defence and I doubt we shall have one very soon. One of my close friends who was a Malay took the trouble to learn Mandarin up to A level and what did he get for his trouble? Suspicion only. He told me if they came to know he knew Mandarin, they will say “lucky i did not say anything bad about you”. FYI, he is now a General Manager in Dalian, China, where he says no one has ever uttered such a remark to him in China and are very happy to know that he took the trouble to learn Mandarin and appreciate that.
Gd for him and SAF.
On LHL’s comment, I was appalled and upset, at the time, that the loyalty of the Malays to S’pore was doubted.
But the following facts show that his comments were not unreasonable
– in the fighting in Sulawesi between Christians and Muslims a few yrs ago, there is documented evidence of Muslim soldiers joining in the fighting on side of Muslims. , Soldiers had been tasked to keep the piece.
– An American Muslim soldier threw a grenade at his buddles when the Americans were massing to invade Kuwait.
– I have been told that the Indian army has had problems with Muslim soldiers who refuse to fight Muslim insurgents in Kashmir.
/// 33) Khairulanwar on June 29th, 2009 3.44 pm
Hello (18) and (32) Pride and Prejudice
Fair point about the verbosity, you are not the first to point about it out heh. Still trying to improve and get the balance right; sorry about that (: ///
Yup – and why the need to throw in the Latin “sui generis”? Where is your Sense and Sensibility?
And congrats to Col Ishak – he made it against all odds. But the question remains, and I have the same sense of unease – will patriotism or the ummah be the bigger influencing factor when push comes to shove?
#29tryathlete;;;You seem to restict “the lens of the establishment” to just “the CMIO classification”, when the actual fact is that it runs the whole gamut—everything can be viewed through this particular ‘lens’.I am sure “Pride and Prejudice” has a wider perspective. And another thing ,”the whims of one party” (to quote Pride and Prejudice) are involved here and it is not just a case of 2 alternatives.
In modern Singapore, race has nothing to do with loyalty to a certain affiliation. I’m yellow & yet still get conscripted against my own will in a place ruled mainly by yellows ministers. Dishonest Chinese have no qualms about scamming other Chinese for their own benefits. Race has nothing to do with loyalty. This Malay general probably has much more loyalty to Singapore, with a large yellow population, than yellow me. ‘Cos I don’t like to be enslaved against my own will in NS (national slavery).
pride and prejudice>
Well, you did suggest using ‘Malay’ accomplishments – i took that as tacit acceptance of the validity of ‘M’ in ‘CMIO’. In the same way that you say Khairulanwar is ‘intoxicated’ by the PAP’s formulation of ‘success’ (because he acknowledges the so-called progress within that particular framework of ‘success’), I meant that you, in your suggestions, have accepted the PAP’s formulation of ‘community’ (because you place – or agree with the – particular importance on ‘Malay’ as a community identifier without any discussion on how porous that concept can be).
Of course, clearly you have demonstrated some academic knowledge on community formation in your follow-up comment, and now I have to ask, what would it mean if we have a ‘Malay’ Nobel Prize winner, or any of your other examples of ‘community progress’? Don’t we also have to reject, or reformulate, or at least address, the PAP formulation of ‘community’?
Kahirulanwar does use words like “watershed”, “progress”, “history books”, “shared glory”, but so what? Is it not important to take the top-down narrative and then place it in what I think we agree is the proper context? A context that is free of the PAP’s incomplete and inaccurate definitions of ‘success’ and ‘community’? Sure, it may be rehashed and it might not be anything new (to you), but I think it’s still useful to keep reframing MSM stories outside of MSM definitions. And some acknowledgement of those definitions are just unavoidable in these types of discussion. Acknowledgement does not mean validation or acceptance, although I admit that is itself debatable.
budamax>>
of course not, I brought up the CMIO thing because I thought it was strangely left unaddressed in his first comment, where he said we should reject the PAP’s notions of ‘success’, but left the notion of ‘Malay’ as a community alone. I am well aware that the ‘lens’ in question here is more than just the CMIO concept, but in this discussion, I think the CMIO concept is a particularly pertinent one.
um, not sure if the ‘whim’ thing was directed at me, but I don’t think I said anything about only 2 alternatives. Did I?
#29tryathlete;;;And further, on the subject of ‘alternatives’, in my opinion, where TOC stand, there are also 2 alternatives;;(1) you can be a bunch of softies who have succumbed to the PAPy propaganda machine;;or;;(2) you can speak out the truth without fear or favour and be real leaders of men. Pardon my harsh language, but personally, i still have a lot of faith in TOC.
to Pride and Prejudice, budamax1952
well said !
The infrastructure, military hardware and foreign reserves count for nothing if more than 50% of our young men do not feel they have a stake nor worth their while defending the red dot………… An independent survey may prove this.
Whilst doubts were cast on Malay loyalty, the ruling party members themselves have already betrayed the citizens……………….by not speaking up and voting independently on issues of great concern to all citizens.
The Malay community have the right to feel proud that one of them has finally earned the star but I urge them to look at the system behind the promotion.
Can anyone vouch that our incumbent PM deserved to attain the rank of BG at the ripe old age of 30+ ? Being in the famiLee sure helps, right ? lol
How many of us view these generals and ministers as inspiring leaders ?
After 50 years of being subjected to the whims of one party, it begs the question, are we really a nation ?
firstly, congratulations to our first malay BG. it had taken a long time to come. i hope that the mindset of government will change and allow equal opportunity to one and all regardless of race colour creed or religion, as our pledge says!
the gahmen good at applying double standards. “do what i tell you to do, don’t do as i do.”
when i was completing my ns in early ’70s i was asked by my CO to sign on as a regular officer (being one of those recruited under the ihl scheme), with a promotion as well. already at that point in time, the policy of excluding malays from the army was in place. my malay graduate officer friend, was placed in sbmt and thereafter excluded from doing reservist training, unlike the other races. my answer was a firm ‘no’ because of the discriminatory policy in place.
we should do away with this discriminatory policy and allow all to compete on an equal footing based on meritocracy alone!
IMHO With respect to the current citizentry of thousands of Chinese immigrants will there be similar loyalty issues should we be at war with china? Theoretically the same reasoning would be true, notwithstanding that they will win anyway due to the size of their military.
#36 A Tan
Going by your logic, then MSK would not have be caught in Msia by now and in indonesia twice. Also, Saudi interior ministry troops would not have fired and killed Al-Qeada terrorists in Kolba and Yemeni security guards would have allowed terrorist into the US embassy compound and Pakistani police would have allowed militants to fire on the bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketeers. But sorry to disappoint you….but in all of the above, they did their duty regardless of the religion of their adversaries.
anakin,
Malaysia had its first Chinese generals (and also admirals) in 1980s, MG Lai Chung Wah from Armour Corps, the late MG (R) Lui Kum Chuong of multi-racial infantry regiment, Royal Ranger Regt who happened to be its chairman (a post two level above the Corps Director (Corps Director – similar to our chief infantry/guards/cdo/signal/arty/armour/logistic officer). This regiment also had several Chinese, Sikh and Indian chairman). In 1990s there are BG Richard Robless of RMAF, 1st ADM Fong Soo Hoi of RMN and an F-5E veteran pilot, BG Toh ( I forgot his full name). Come new millenneum and they got BG Hon Mun Loong in 9th Inf Bde in Sarawak, East Malaysia. In 1970′s two prominent Indian of their Army – the late BG N. Selvarajah from Engineer Corps and RADM (Rtd) Thanabalasingam of RMN. How I know this? Don’t forget Semangat Bersatu series of exercises where we have close interactions with our Msian counterpart, FPDA joint ex and also posting to Embassy as assistant to Defence Attache!
Hi Pugdragon Post #39;
You have my full concurrence.
patriot
LKY and son are not fools…….Gen Ishak’s mother is half-chinese, Speaker tamajuddin’s wife and mother are both Chinese, Minister Yaacob’s mother is half-chinese and so is his wife.
It will take many more years for a pure 100% melayu to be a General in S’pore!
Even in Malaysia there are no pure Malays who became PM. Do you know that Mahathir is half Indian? His father is Indian! In Malaysia Indian Muslims are called Mamak. There are a number of Mamaks even in Umno!
‘He looks like Indian’, ‘His mother is Chinese’, ‘Mamaks are half Indians’,
‘Indonesian Muslim Soldiers helped to fight Indonesian Christians’ etc.
The above only proves that racial and religious integrations have a long way to go.
Unless we are willing to discard or put aside our emotional baggages and tendencies to ascribe to rationality, racial and religious integration may never actualized. As the Chinese Saying goes ‘between filial piety and loyalty’, one has to be sacrificed (Hanyu Pinyin: Zhong xiao nan liang quan). The most difficult decision one has to made is always heart rending.
Let us hope that all humans are peace loving and less antagonistic and combative.
patriot