PRESS RELEASE
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14th January 2018
UMMAH CHAIRMAN IGNORANT OF FACTS AND HISTORY
We refer to the Malay Mail Online report on 13 Jan 18, ‘In fiery speech, cleric tells forum only Malays fought invaders, communists’. It was reported that Ismail Mina Ahmad, the chairman of the Ummah, an umbrella group for Muslim organisations, asserted that only the Malays had battled the communists. He also said that only the Malays fought against the British and Japanese. The other assertion by the chairman of Ummah was that outspoken minorities (referring to non-Malays) posed a danger to the position of Islam in the country and Malay political rule, aiming to usurp power, and even want to be a prime minister.

Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) is not in any way angry with Ismail Mina Ahmad, as what he purportedly said did not reflect on himself as a person well versed in current affairs and history. Being elderly and a vulnerable person, others could have easily manipulated him with sentiments relating to religion and race, especially with the general election looming and all kinds of underhand tactics would be employed. A cleric and an elderly person is usually one with wisdom, promoting love, peace, understanding, and compassion. Certainly not promoting hatred.

Patriot is very disappointed with those who sponsored Ummah in their forum that peppered with hate speeches and distorted historical facts. At a time when our economy is facing so much of uncertainty, a stagnant growth since 2016, government debt at 53.2% to the GDP, 1MDB debts to be paid, 50,000 to be out of jobs this year; any action that causes disunity will do a disfavor to our nation and society.

Ignorance breeds contempt if allowed unchecked. Patriot has to repeat here what we mentioned before. Since the pre-independent years, through the first and second emergencies, from the early years of the Home Guard, Templer’s Super 12, the Federation Regiment, the Congo peace keeping mission, the Confrontation, the urban communist terrorism, jungle warfare in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak; the non-Malay officers and men, which included Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Orang Asli, Ibans, Dayaks, and Kadazans; fought gallantly alongside their Malay brothers-in-arms. In the Air Force, numerous non-Malay pilots flew their helicopters in dangerous mission for supplies and evacuations, and enemies shot at their aircrafts. These officers and men had their share of casualties and also their much-deserved share of gallantry awards. In addition, the much cherished success of our security forces against the CPM insurgents and urban terrorists was to a large extend attributed to the many dangerous and highly classified covert operations of the police Special Branch and military intelligence, many of whom were of Chinese ethnicity. 

The CPM (Communist Party of Malaya) was not totally ethnic Chinese. The 10th Regiment of the CPM was predominantly ethnic Malays, whose leaders included Abdullah CD, Rashid Mydin, and Samsiah Pakeh. Furthermore, terrorism and savage killings committed by the MPAJA (Malayan People Anti-Japanese Army) after Japan had surrendered, and who later took up arms against the British, were based on ideology, and not racial. Distorting history to suit one’s political purpose and instill hatred towards non-Malays is totally irresponsible.
Patriot calls upon the Ministers of Defence and Internal Affairs to set the record straight regarding the different ethnic groups participation and serving our country combating against our nation’s enemies and the communist insurgents. Similarly the Chief of Armed Forces and the Inspector General of Police have to openly state the same. The chief of the Armed Forces Religious Corps (KAGAT) needs to also make a statement to guide other clerics against deviant teaching.

We have to remember those who have once served our King and country with valour. Those men comprising different races, their heroic and valiant deeds, their sacrifices must never be forgotten. Keeping quiet to such distortion of facts is not an option. It is abdicating leadership responsibility.

Reference article from:
https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/32367/
https://www.g25malaysia.org/single-post/2018/01/20/Ummah-Chairman-ignorant-of-facts-and-history
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2018/01/15/patriot-unhappy-ummahs-ignorance-about-historical-role-non-malays


BG Dato Mohd Arshad Raji (Rtd)
President - Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan

(PPM-005-14-22052017)