Gamuda founder under fire for comments against armed forces

Gamuda Bhd founder Koon Yew Yin (above) is under fire from various quarters for a statement deemed disrespectful to the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Government and opposition parties, as well as NGOs, have criticised the businessperson for suggesting that many armed forces personnel had never fired a bullet, done nothing "except eating and sleeping" and should be deployed to Felda plantations. 

Retired army major Razali Zakaria, representing Gerakan Memartabat Pejuang Negara Malaysia, today lodged a police report against Koon at the Wangsa Maju district police headquarters.

In the police report, Razali claimed that Koon was challenging the professionalism and credibility of the armed forces and sowing hatred towards the force.

Yesterday, Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong had also criticised Koon's position.

“I urge all Malaysians regardless of race or economic class, whether civilian or military, to strive to understand the role and sacrifices of the armed forces, and to be careful in issuing statements,” the DAP senator had said.

Meanwhile, Terengganu Pakatan Harapan Youth joined the chorus of criticism.

"Koon may not consciously feel the existence and contribution of the armed forces but there would not be peace and security in the country without the security forces that make sacrifices to defend this country from threats," its chief Mohd Hasbie Muda (above) told Malaysiakini.

Umno Youth vice-chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan said Koon's statement was an insult to the whole armed forces.

"This is an example of someone, who has led a wealthy and comfortable life, belittling and insulting the noble work of the armed forces who constantly defend the country whenever there are security risks," he said in a Facebook post.

Meanwhile, PSM central committee member Sharan Raj said Koon should apologise for his comment.

"The armed forces have sacrificed their future and will sacrifice their lives when needed to save 30 million Malaysians.

"Malaysian civilians are not prepared to raise a weapon to defend our land and people but the armed forces are 24/7 combat-ready,” he said in a statement.

Koon had made the comments in a blog posting on Monday titled: "My proposal for the reduction and improvement of our civil service?". - Mkini