(Malaysiakini) First there is the ongoing case of former Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) sergeant N Tharmendran who has alleged he was tortured by military investigators.
Now, a retired RMAF flight sergeant from Sarawak has come forward with claims that he was harassed by the force and that no justice has yet been served on his police reports, one of which has even been heard by the court.
Faizzal Jinong Abdullah (right), 45, who retired from service two years ago, alleged that prior to his retirement several high-ranking officers had “tortured” him after he discovered a scam at the RMAF multi-storey living quarters in Kuching where he was housed.
The ex-sergeant claims to have suffered immensely both mentally and physically after stumbling upon alleged electricity theft between his unit and another, and that he was thrown into prison and his family was tormented after he approached the authorities about the matter in 2008.
“What has happened to all the reports I had lodged? I have not heard from the police at all... when will my problems be solved?” asked Faizzal.
“2009 has passed and now its 2010. Our problem is yet to be solved... the RMAF continues to make speculations (on my complaint) and accuses me of not being cooperative by not filling in the completion of service documentation programme."
He said that it is the force, and not his lack of cooperation, that has resulted in the delay in the completion of his papers, despite his service having ended two years ago. He attributed their actions to his having raised complaints.
“Since June 10, 2008, we had encountered various difficulties and threats from the RMAF officers, particularly those from the administration division of the air base in Kuching,” he said, naming several officers whom he said were the culprits behind the threats.
Pressured to keep mum
Faizzal's ordeal began when, prior to June, his electricity supply had been disconnected and he and his family lived for three months in darkness.
“I complained to our base commander at Kuching Air Base and even to the Air Force headquarters in Kuala Lumpur as well as the Defence Ministry and Sesco (the Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation), but to no avail,” said his wife Che Murni Dara Mat Zain (left).
“According to an explanation by Sesco, our electricity difficulties arose due to a problem between the RMAF and the building contractors."
When Faizzal approached the RMAF with the information, it soon became apparent to him that his electricity disruption was instead caused by a scam involving RMAF officers, to tap electricity illegally, claimed Che Murni.
“They threatened him (Faizzal) and wanted him to follow their plan to cover up the fraud.
“But because my husband refused to get involved in it, the senior officer concerned threatened not to (allow him to complete the last leg of his service), and refused to process my husband's documents."
'Threats turn physical'
As Faizzal's retirement date in August approached, the situation worsened as his officers interfered with his retirement procedures and prevented him from changing his military identity card to a public identity card.
His attempts to resolve his situation through his superiors at every available opportunity were met with demands for a promise that he would keep mum about the alleged electricity theft.
“As the senior officer refused to process my termination documents, I couldn't complete the last leg, the end of service documentation,” said Faizzal.
The harassment soon turned physical, he alleged.
“One evening in September that year, we were ambushed at our home and my wife, who has asthma, fainted from the shock and was admitted to hospital.
“I lodged a police report immediately, but it was ignored. Once my wife was well enough she lodged another report. The case was brought to the Kuching Magistrate's Court but until now we don't know the outcome.
“On Dec 22, 2008, we were visited again (by RMAF officers) and they tried to persuade me to comply with what they had planned. And if I did, my public identity card issue would be solved and I would have to sign an agreement to move from where we were staying."
'Abducted from own home'
Faizzal said that, despite being pressured, he refused their offer and requested to stay in the quarters until they could find an alternative home, but the entire family was abducted the next day.
“I had asked them to allow us to stay for a few more days to prepare to move, and to settle school matters for our six children as well as my wife's follow-up treatment.
“My wife and our six children, who were then aged between five and 17, were surrounded by armed officers who were accompanied by a police officer. They were abducted and forcefully flown to Kuala Lumpur. I was also sent to Kuala Lumpur a couple of days later."
While in Kuala Lumpur, the family, fearing for their safety, fled to Negri Sembilan and are now living in Seberang Prai in Penang.
“We (had no choice but) to approach the media with the story. Finally, when we got television coverage, I received my public identity card last year, but not my retirement card,” he said.
Without the retirement card, Faizzal and his family are deprived of the benefits allocated to former armed forces personnel.
“Two of our eldest children are in a community college now, but we can't apply for loans or even for any assistance, without the retirement card,” he said.
Faizzal said that he only wants justice for his family, who he claimed have been subjected to torture and treated inhumanely.
“It is not my intention to speak ill of the government, but I want my rights as a Malaysian and I will not give up until our voices are heard,” he said.
Faizzal Jinong Abdullah (right), 45, who retired from service two years ago, alleged that prior to his retirement several high-ranking officers had “tortured” him after he discovered a scam at the RMAF multi-storey living quarters in Kuching where he was housed.
The ex-sergeant claims to have suffered immensely both mentally and physically after stumbling upon alleged electricity theft between his unit and another, and that he was thrown into prison and his family was tormented after he approached the authorities about the matter in 2008.
“What has happened to all the reports I had lodged? I have not heard from the police at all... when will my problems be solved?” asked Faizzal.
“2009 has passed and now its 2010. Our problem is yet to be solved... the RMAF continues to make speculations (on my complaint) and accuses me of not being cooperative by not filling in the completion of service documentation programme."
He said that it is the force, and not his lack of cooperation, that has resulted in the delay in the completion of his papers, despite his service having ended two years ago. He attributed their actions to his having raised complaints.
“Since June 10, 2008, we had encountered various difficulties and threats from the RMAF officers, particularly those from the administration division of the air base in Kuching,” he said, naming several officers whom he said were the culprits behind the threats.
Pressured to keep mum
Faizzal's ordeal began when, prior to June, his electricity supply had been disconnected and he and his family lived for three months in darkness.
“According to an explanation by Sesco, our electricity difficulties arose due to a problem between the RMAF and the building contractors."
When Faizzal approached the RMAF with the information, it soon became apparent to him that his electricity disruption was instead caused by a scam involving RMAF officers, to tap electricity illegally, claimed Che Murni.
“They threatened him (Faizzal) and wanted him to follow their plan to cover up the fraud.
“But because my husband refused to get involved in it, the senior officer concerned threatened not to (allow him to complete the last leg of his service), and refused to process my husband's documents."
'Threats turn physical'
As Faizzal's retirement date in August approached, the situation worsened as his officers interfered with his retirement procedures and prevented him from changing his military identity card to a public identity card.
His attempts to resolve his situation through his superiors at every available opportunity were met with demands for a promise that he would keep mum about the alleged electricity theft.
“As the senior officer refused to process my termination documents, I couldn't complete the last leg, the end of service documentation,” said Faizzal.
The harassment soon turned physical, he alleged.
“One evening in September that year, we were ambushed at our home and my wife, who has asthma, fainted from the shock and was admitted to hospital.
“I lodged a police report immediately, but it was ignored. Once my wife was well enough she lodged another report. The case was brought to the Kuching Magistrate's Court but until now we don't know the outcome.
“On Dec 22, 2008, we were visited again (by RMAF officers) and they tried to persuade me to comply with what they had planned. And if I did, my public identity card issue would be solved and I would have to sign an agreement to move from where we were staying."
'Abducted from own home'
Faizzal said that, despite being pressured, he refused their offer and requested to stay in the quarters until they could find an alternative home, but the entire family was abducted the next day.
“I had asked them to allow us to stay for a few more days to prepare to move, and to settle school matters for our six children as well as my wife's follow-up treatment.
“My wife and our six children, who were then aged between five and 17, were surrounded by armed officers who were accompanied by a police officer. They were abducted and forcefully flown to Kuala Lumpur. I was also sent to Kuala Lumpur a couple of days later."
“We (had no choice but) to approach the media with the story. Finally, when we got television coverage, I received my public identity card last year, but not my retirement card,” he said.
Without the retirement card, Faizzal and his family are deprived of the benefits allocated to former armed forces personnel.
“Two of our eldest children are in a community college now, but we can't apply for loans or even for any assistance, without the retirement card,” he said.
Faizzal said that he only wants justice for his family, who he claimed have been subjected to torture and treated inhumanely.
“It is not my intention to speak ill of the government, but I want my rights as a Malaysian and I will not give up until our voices are heard,” he said.
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