KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — Minister of Human Resource Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam spoke out against his Cabinet colleague today over claims that lack of patriotism was the reason for the low presence of non-Malays in the military.Dr Subramaniam, who is also an MIC vice-president, cited career advancement issues as one of the major factors discouraging non-Malays from joining the armed forces.
“As for the non-Malays, let me state that we have received many complaints that their applications were rejected for several reasons including failure during physical tests,” said Dr Subramaniam in a statement today.
“Other than that, the issue of promotion, especially among existing officers and men in the armed forces is also a factor that makes them less interested to join the armed forces as they have other options,” he added.
Yesterday Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told Parliament that non-Malays’ “low spirit of patriotism” is a key reason for their low presence in the military.
He also revealed that revealed that non-Malays made up only 1.2 per cent of 2008/2009 recruitment of officers. Bumiputeras made up 98.2 per cent.
Zahid told Parliament out of 9,054 officers recruited during that period there were only 26 Chinese and 82 Indians.
Subramaniam said he was saddened by Zahid’s assumption and hoped that the Ministry of Defence would work with MIC to address the issue of recruitment of non-Malays into the armed forces.
“As a community leader, I am saddened by the remarks, especially because it came from a community and national leader,” said Dr Subramaniam.
“We at MIC are willing to hold discussion with the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces to address the issue,” he added.
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