During his training to be a member of the Askar Wataniah reserve force, PKR lawmaker Sim Tze Tzin said the emphasis was on loyalty to the king and nation.
“Loyalty to the prime minister and government was never a part of our training,” added the Bayan Baru MP, who holds the rank of second lieutenant, in a Facebook posting.
He was responding to Armed Forces chief Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor's speech at a dinner attended by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in Kuala Lumpur last Friday.
Raja Mohamed Affandi had urged members of the security forces to be loyal to the government led by the prime minister.
Sim also accused Najib of propagating fake news when he suggested that a Pakatan Harapan government might dismantle the Royal Malay Regiment.
Speaking at the same dinner, the prime minister said a “Malaysian Malaysia” government might spell the end of the regiment if the wrong leadership took control of the country.
“Malaysian Malaysia” is the clarion call of DAP, which Umno leaders claim poses a threat to the position of the Malays and Islam in Malaysia.
DAP has dismissed this as baseless, and accused Umno of demonising the predominantly Chinese party to instil fear in the Malay electorate.
Harapan will defend Malay Regiment
Meanwhile, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar concurred that Najib's statement was tantamount to fake news.
She also said Harapan would defend the existence of the Royal Malay Regiment.
"This latest false salvo is yet another justification that necessitates a nail on the Anti-Fake News Bill coffin.
"There is no doubt that the government cannot act as an impartial arbiter in legislating an anti-fake news law, and Malaysians are left with no choice but to reject the bill in totality," she added in reference to the Anti-Fake News Bill 2018 currently being debated in the Dewan Rakyat.
On the part of PKR, Nurul said their legislators have on record defended the plight of retired servicemen.
"PKR has continuously championed the rights of more than 450,000 army veterans nationwide.
"Our legislators have cogently presented the frustrations of retired servicemen against Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera for the inefficient and inadequate distribution of gratuity and dividends," she added.
Nurul also pointed out that PKR had fielded retired navy first admiral and current Lumut MP Mohamad Imran Abdul Hamid in the last election as a recognition of the veteran's leadership qualities.
Earlier today, veterans group Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan said it would be "virtually impossible" for any party to disband the Royal Malay Regiment. -Mkini
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