The army has carried out an “information campaign” in various schools across the country in hopes of attracting more non-Bumiputeras to sign up as recruits. In April, defence minister Mohamad Hasan said the armed forces were looking to recruit more non-Bumiputeras, with several initiatives taken to diversify their ranks and raise awareness among non-Bumiputeras.
Malays accounted for 85.8% of armed forces members, followed by Bumiputeras from Sarawak and Sabah at 7.6% and 4.3%, respectively, Indians (1.4%), Chinese (0.5%) and Orang Asli (0.4%).
Many non-Bumiputera parents are not convinced that their children could climb up the ranks in the military. One may get a promotion from Major to Lieutenant – Colonel after 20 years. The other factor is the lack of religious sensitivity towards the non-Muslims in the military. That’s the reality.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org
Segregation, discrimination and insensitivity are sufficient reasons why the Nons are not in the army, navy or air-force. Will Mindef be so kind to release statistics on the number or percentage of Nons and Bumis in the upper echelons of the armed forces (say, colonel and above)? If your numbers are poor, there are several reasons – it is not about loyalty. Do the Nons have to prove their loyalty by joining the armed forces? It should be pride to serve your nation, but if you are disregarded, discriminated then what’s the point?
I know of another large nation where recruits are told to leave their race, religion and dialect at the doorstep of boot-camp. There are no differences in the armed forces – so a Parsi can be a Field Marshall or a Jew a General. Can that happen here? I sincerely doubt it!
Meanwhile, an old man goes round stoking fear that the Nons are taking-over and even changing Malaysia’s name!
Reference:
Army tours schools to attract non-Bumiputera recruits, FMT, 29 June 2023
No comments:
Post a Comment