The Malaysian Insight

A GROUP of military and police veterans have urged ordinary Malaysians to join them in fighting against what they see as rising racial and religious extremism in the country.

Retired brigadier general Mohamad Arshad Raji, president of the grouping called Patriot (National Patriots’ Association), said many veterans from his generation have grown weary of how some people have been using race and religion to divide the nation for political gain.

“When we were serving, we shed our blood for an inclusive Malaysia, not the Malaysia of today,” Arshad told The Malaysian Insight.

He said Patriot, which was formed in March last year, was meant to be a platform for those who had fought for this nation to have a voice in speaking up against religious and racial tensions.

However, the group decided that they wanted to include like-minded, ordinary Malaysians into their fold, leading to the formation of “Rakan Patriot”, or Friends of the Patriots, for those who had not served with the armed forces or police.

“Through Rakan Patriot, we want to show that every citizen has a role to play in creating the type of country they desire to live in,” Arshad said.

He said that to ensure that Malaysia returns to become a harmonious nation without religious and racial fanaticism, as many citizens as possible need to get involved in the fight.

“They need to be curious and then voice out on all issues relating to the state of this country,” he said, adding that anybody showing an interest in programmes aimed at fostering unity and harmony is welcome to join “Rakan Patriot”.

He said “Rakan Patriot” will be launched on February 14.

“We will also be officiating the Patriot’s website on that day.

“We will also announce the programmes for ‘Rakan Patriot’ that will be carried out this year,” said Arshad.

Apolitical

Arshad also repeated his assertion that the grouping has no intention to get involved in politics.

“Patriot is an NGO which is apolitical. However, this does not mean that Patriot members can’t be members of any political party.

“If any of our members want to become independent candidates in the coming general election, that is their right.

“(But) Patriot will not endorse any of its members who desire to run in the 14th general election,” he said.

In an interview with The Malaysian Insight last year, Arhad said the state of racial harmony that was enjoyed by Malaysians had been “almost destroyed” by a handful of power-hungry politicians.

Arshad said his generation had been raised to look beyond race and religion, adding that it was “evil” politicians that have created racial and religious strife among the younger generation. – February 8, 2018.