Saifuddin: Appointments in national security institutions should not be politicised
BALING: Appointments to positions within national security institutions should not be turned into political or racial polemics, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said all appointments, including within the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), are made based on strict screening processes that prioritise merit and service discipline, regardless of race or religion.
He said that such issues were non-existent during the 1990s, when officers worked in harmony without regard to ethnicity or background.
"Recently, when someone was promoted and received two stars, from one to two, it suddenly became an issue.
"Speculative comments then followed, suggesting that if this continues, one day Malaysia could even have a Chinese Prime Minister, and so on.
"This is the kind of situation we want to avoid in a multiracial country like Malaysia. Not everything should be viewed through a racial lens.
"This is especially true for military institutions. They understand the promotion process well, there's the Armed Forces Council, screening, and various procedures involved," he told reporters after visiting the Sabo Dam construction site along the Kupang River basin here today.
Previously, the appointment of Datuk Johny Lim Kean Seng as a Lieutenant General in the ATM drew attention after criticism from Sungai Buloh Pas chief Zaharuddin Muhammad in a social media post.
DAP deputy secretary-general Steven Sim had reportedly slammed Zaharuddin's statement, describing it as an insult to the wisdom of the ATM and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Following this, Pas also expressed concern over the remarks and said it was reviewing further action in response to the allegations, which were deemed to undermine racial harmony in the country.
Commenting further, Saifuddin said racially charged remarks such as those are dangerous and do not reflect the spirit of unity in a multiracial nation like Malaysia.
He also upheld the recent decree by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, who warned against the use of religion as a political tool to divide the nation.
He said the royal reminder clearly reflected His Majesty's concern for national harmony and should serve as guidance to all, regardless of political affiliation.
"National unity must always be prioritised, and all parties should stop magnifying racial issues that could jeopardise the country's stability," he said.
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