SUNGAI PETANI: Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu today openly challenged businessmen in the country to do business in war-torn countries like Afghanistan and prove that they could thrive without protection from the defence forces.
Without naming any, he issued the challenge to those who had made derogatory remarks about the nation’s security forces.
“Just now we met several veterans injured from bobby traps, I hope these millionaires understand the sacrifices veterans have made to enable them to make their millions.
“If these people who feel that they are good, then try to do business in Afghanistan and see if that would make or break them,” he said after awarding the Malaysian Service Medal (PJM) to Kedah, Perlis and Penang State Army (ATM) veterans, in Bedong, near here today.
He said that there was a vast difference in the appreciation given to the country’s security forces in the old days compared to now.
“The veterans here served in the 60s, 70s and 80s and at that time, they were very much appreciated. Their salaries were low, but respect towards them was high,” he said.
However, he said that during peaceful times like now, the sacrifices of the soldiers are forgotten.
“The ones who can do business well and make a lot of profits, can look down on our soldiers and say that they only sleep and eat while the female soldiers would be better off being maids and cleaners,” he said, stressing that this kind of negativity should not be repeated.
At the event, 537 veterans from several veterans associations were awarded the PJM as an appreciation for their sacrifices to the country. — Bernama
