Mat Sabu: Honorary rankings given with Agong’s consent, subject to laws
PUCHONG: The Defence Ministry bestowed honorary military rankings to the public based on existing protocols and military laws.
In a statement yesterday, minister Mohamad Sabu said that all those who received honorary military rankings had to undergo scrutiny from the Malaysian Armed Forces Council (MAT) first and receive consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“All these procedures are set in Section 198 of the Malaysian Armed Forces Act 1972,” he said.
Khairy reminded Mohamad that it was the latter that announced in April last year that the government would stop giving out honorary military ranks to politicians.
Those who received the honorary ranks recently were Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Mohd Zuki Ali, Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun and Negeri Sembilan state secretary Datuk Razali Abd Malik.
Defence Minister’s military adviser Norrul Azril Ariffin also received the rank of honorary Brigadier-General.
Defending the move, Mohamad said that the people mentioned received honorary rankings for the Territorial Army (JAKPAW), adding that a state menteri besar or chief minister automatically becomes the state JAKPAW’s patron.
“In addition, the JAKPAW chairmanship are exclusively awarded to the state secretaries. The appointments are made by the state menteri besar, chief minister or the Federal Territories Minister, which carries the rank honorary colonel,” he said.
Mohamad then reminded Khairy that JAKPAW was established to encourage voluntary public participation to the Malaysian Armed Forces.
“And the Malaysian Armed Forces can revoke the honorary rankings given if the recipients indulge in activities that can tarnish the nation’s name or no longer hold their government posts,” he said.
By G Vinod
