Patriots: No Umno member died fighting the communists

PUCHONG: Not one Umno member died or sacrificed themselves to fight the communist insurgents in the past, said National Patriots Association (Patriot) today.
In a statement, Patriot president Brig.Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji also pointed out that it was multiracial effort that defeated the communists, not an effort by a single race alone.
“Members of the security forces that had served throughout the period of the communist insurgency can easily vouch that they had never seen a single Umno member carrying a 30 kilo pack filled with rations and ammunition on their back and a rifle in hand, foraging the jungles of Pahang, Perak, Kedah and Sarawak, risking stepping on booby traps, to seek out the communist insurgents.
“Neither have any of its members fallen fighting the communist insurgents,” he said.
On Monday, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in a speech to Umno members, urged the latter to oppose Pakatan Harapan effortlessly.
“The party (Umno) can resist the cruel Pakatan government, just as it had fought and defeated the communists during the decades long insurgency,” Najib was reported saying.
Hurling brickbats at Najib, Arshad said he was puzzled on how Najib could twist facts and history in a bid to endear himself to the Malay community.
The military veteran also accused Najib of belittling the sacrifices made by security personnel in combating the communists in the past.
“We urge Najib to correct the unscrupulous statement he has made,” said Arshad.
By G Vinod