An Old Soldier Speaks his Mind.

The following article is an old posting of more than a year ago. I thought it might be interesting to revisit .....

"LEADERSHIP THROWN OVERBOARD…?

Leadership is such a vital element in any grouping, even for the smallest family unit, and all the way to the national level and beyond.

It is the one key factor that would greatly determine the degree of success in any undertaking. Outside of God’s will and Luck, this might well be the most critical success factor for the overall well-being of any group……one that they, those who are within the group, can generally still control and dictate — if they should really want to.

I read my first book on Leadership (by John Adair) when I was eighteen. It was a mandatory text for our Leadership syllabus during the two years of our Officer Cadet training at what was then the Federation Military College. And before anyone asks me what I can remember learning from that book, let me say upfront that I don’t recall a thing of it, although I do not have any doubt it must have also helped contribute to my overall understanding and grasp of Leadership.

Since that early insight into the subject, the nature of our military profession had subsequently exposed us to many situations of the highest and often critical leadership demands. It was a most fertile training ground for leadership development from day one itself.

Admittedly, not too unlike other professions, the experience might not be totally wide ranging and all embracing. The key difference, however, is the sheer risk of poor leadership in those critical situations we were faced with, sometime with likely deadly consequences. This made our every learning reflections on our practical experience on the subject of leadership a very serious and critical self-learning in each case, making every lesson indelibly meaningful and telling.

This, I sincerely believe, made us soldiers appreciate, understand, value, and hold in such great esteem the role of leadership, leadership positions, and leaders.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, it also makes us, less compromising with our expectations of the standards and quality of leadership — especially with truthfulness, sincerity, integrity, and untempered loyalty to King and Country. Any deviation from these qualities, especially when it becomes a threat to the nation, would render us totally disillusioned, willing and ready to do the needful.

THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE THINGS THAT ARE CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN THE COUNTRY PAINFULLY REVOLTING, SAD, DEPRESSING, AND WORRYING FOR MANY – I AM CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM!"

Kamaruddin Mohd Jamal

Kamaruddin Mohd Jamal : FOR A BATTLING PATRIACH

Going through some of my previous writings, I came across a poem I wrote at the height of Tun Mahathir’s bashing some ten years ago, when about everyone in Pak Lah’s cabinet were out for his blood. Interestingly, Pak Lah himself was silent, distancing himself unconvincingly from the brutal verbal onslaught on his predecessor by his henchmen with the one-liner logic that “he personally had never taken part in it”.

  

Today, Tun Mahathir is again under attack – this time led by no less than the incumbent PM himself, together with his whole cabinet and almost every one of those in key positions. Unlike before, the unrelenting attacks have not only taken on such unspeakable crudeness never thought possible of an incumbent PM, but they have also been extended to innocent family members. Even grandchildren are not spared; consistent with Najib’s fierce clarion call and unhesitatingly open incitement of, some might even say, un-Islamic “Attack, attack, attack… NOTHING IS SACRED”.

 

Of course, Tun Mahathir is also very much on the attack himself. By all accounts, he and his opposition team are literally nailing Najib and his cohorts to the wall at every turn but, for now, kept safe and untouched by dubious legal roadblocks.

 

Thank you, Tun, for all that you have done and are still striving to do, for our country…... of course you were, and are, not perfect. No one is – and many, for their own reasons, just cannot help revisiting your ancient and long overgrown controversial trails. Yet all said, no one had done more; and not many possibly love this country as you do, or are as willing and ready as you are to sacrifice yourself in its cause.

 

This poem, first posted on my blog ten years ago, is for you – and all loyal Malaysians.

 

MY LAYMAN QUANDARY

 

He had achieved so much;  way much more than many had ever thought possible

He made us believe the things we can do and gave such confidence to our people

He was relentless and determined fighting for those issues of telling significance

Just as he was uncompromising and fearless in pursuing the interest of our nation

 

Had he really been all these? I had thought so, like the many others in the millions

As they beseeched him to remain in his position; chanting his virtues and brilliance

Yet today it seems he had become so different, spewing venom at every utterance

Drawing heated condemnations even from those he had tutored and championed

 

How could I have been so wrong to believe in him for all those great things he did?

How could he be so irresponsible; outright traitorous even as the many have said?

The audacity of him to criticize with such arrogance; what right did he think he had?

He should be muzzled, his rights removed, expelled from the team he recently led!

 

It is confusing for me, the thoroughly unconnected to reason all these out sensibly

To feel such debt to someone so deeply only to be told he is such knave suddenly

Yet such seems to be the views of the informed, spouted with such fierce emotion

As if competing with one another for the most scathing, vile, daring condemnation

 

Such strong words and emotions, as they were, must come from strong motivation

Only unprincipled minds, lofty ambition, or untold bounty can arouse such passion

And more so if the person attacked had our dizzy approval during his recent tenure

Who had our respect, who toiled and worked endlessly to make the country better

 

Yet today they say he is bent on attacking and destroying our newly added edifice

Out of sheer jealousy, missing the glory or whatever; since he voluntarily left office

All making no sense, but the competing gladiators must know what they’re saying

For like Anthony said “……Brutus is a wise man, and so are they all, all wise men”

 

Yet like Anthony, I worry when righteousness is assumed by those such as them

When logic and fairness are smothered silent with such unthinking fierce emotion

When wanton condemnations are readily made without sober fair considerations

When everything is just black or white with nothing in between, leaving no options

 

And so I remain in this quandary – trust these so-called wise men, or my instinct?

Join this feeding frenzy or perhaps use my God-given faculty and for myself think

For I remember a recent poem that might have bearing on this unhappy sad state

Strongly urging the silent many to awaken and to start thinking before it is too late

Kamaruddin Mohd Jamal

Datuk Kamaruddin Mohd Jamal : Far too many blatant wrongdoings seemingly at every level, continue to go unchecked, dragging the country down into a dangerously anarchic situation that cannot endure for very much longer.

ALL FELLOW "PEJUANG TANAH AIR" WHO HAD TAKEN THE OATH TO DEFEND THIS COUNTRY, AND ALL LOYAL MALAYSIANS...... IN THE NAME OF THE ALMIGHTY AND THE ALL-FORGIVING

"Are we a people straight and upright who will fight however we might for what is right; or a people unworthy even of mention who can be deceived or frightened into silent submission?"

Like many if not most, I'm deeply troubled and distressed.

And rightly it should be for all those who are concerned with everything not right rampantly taking place in our midst within the country today. Far too many blatant wrongdoings seemingly at every level, continue to go unchecked, dragging the country down into a dangerously anarchic situation that cannot endure for very much longer.

At this late stage in life for me and many of us, perhaps the common wisdom in the face of this threat confronting our nation today is to do nothing. Perhaps I should just pretend nothing is wrong. Perhaps I should just quietly grit my teeth, maybe even grudgingly, and let this cancerous abuse of our country's system of governance simply take its course. Perhaps I should just concentrate on praying very hard, and that somehow everything might still end up reasonably well eventually. Perhaps this would indeed be the wise thing to do -- and still many, many more "perhaps"; but......

......let me put all my cards on the table -- for me, I cannot in all conscience feel good as I should, even as I look at my grandchildren, knowing that I have NOT tried doing everything that I possibly could that might help salvage their much-threatened future. 

I sincerely and genuinely fear that if the current abuse of this country were to continue unchecked, its punishing and outright ruinous consequences would shackle and burden this nation for many innocent generations long after we, every single one of us from this guilty generation, are good and gone.

Well over half a century ago, at a time when the country was engaged in a long drawn-out war to fend off a communist take-over, I made my choice as to how I could best serve this nation; and like many others, decided on the most noble of all professions -- and I became a soldier. Together with many other like-minded compatriots, we took our oath to defend and keep this country safe, even with our lives if that should be needed.

For most of us, we had little interest in anything else, much less politics. To us, that's only for politicians.

The issue that needs addressing today, however, is the threat to our country; one that could be far more serious than the protracted jungle war that had made many of us decide to become soldiers a long time ago. This new threat was triggered by the blatant manipulation and abuse of politics, the end-result of which had become frighteningly consequential; way beyond simple wayward politics.

This discussion, as such, is neither about politics nor is it a reflection of any interest in it --- it is about the THREAT this rampant abuse of politics had spawned, which is now THREATENING OUR NATION, something rightly of concern to ALL.

What we have seen happening of late would have been outright unbelievable not too many years ago when our country was greatly respected and riding high; when we were one of the rare jewels in this part of the world. Today, the praises are no more; the accolades seem ended -- silenced and destroyed by greed and misdeeds.

About everyone, no doubt, is as familiar as I am with the many shameful goings-on within the country and the overall damage they have caused our nation even as of now. For completeness, though, let me just briefly summarise my own deep-seated views and my overall perspective on the situation currently in our midst and how we have been taken from then, however imperfect it might have been, to now -- on the brink of disaster as we are.

It took some time for the country to accept the fact, even when the leadership's creeping misdeeds and waywardness had reached the dangerous level it did. Even today, for reasons best known to them, some still find it hard to do so, while some likely never will. This could be a reflection of the confidence, trust, and respect the majority rakyat had in our leaders and our system of governance even at that point not too long ago. 

How we have slid down that slippery slope into outright ignominy -- and we have not even hit bottom yet; which we will if not stopped in time!

The early wrongdoings and the ensuing discord, within and across political lines, had greatly affected the nation. The unsettling situation had since been made worse by more untruths and wrongdoings, very likely to fence off or to cover up the several original misdeeds, including those that had extended even beyond our borders. 

These wrongdoings had been subsequently raised, vigorously highlighted, and scathingly condemned in the several countries around the world in which they were believed to have been committed, even as the investigations are still ongoing -- much to our added shame as a nation and as a people.

Meanwhile at home, the continuing wrongdoings piling up one after another, had continued to snowball, and in the process had also added many strange and unprecedented "new norms" in total disregard for established systems, rules, and even the laws of the country.

At the same time, the relevant agencies to check such transgressions had been effectively cowed and neutralised, and made to serve only the leadership's selected causes. These agencies no longer now serve the cause of what is right but what they are being told and made to accept as right.

IN TRUTH OUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN WELL AND TRULY HIJACKED.

This is the reality no matter how one looks at the situation -- a sad and frightening reality that had caused some very disturbing and revolting emotions in many of us. As I see it, for those of us who were once soldiers, regardless of when we left active soldiering and consistent with the oath we had taken, this situation demands of us to do everything we possibly could to save our country, including making that ultimate sacrifice if it should be.

While this is my sentiment with regards to this looming threat, some if not many, might be of the view that our skills as soldiers might have less relevance in the current scenario. Yet my gut-feel tells me that the spirit in us, the burning passion, our unshakable loyalty, our boundless love for this country, and our once sacred oath and sworn duty to protect this sacred land must certainly count for something; if not everything.

Related knowledge and skills, political savvy, connection, eminent positions and wealth, even influence over key personalities or agencies might count for a lot less; perhaps even NOTHING, without the right values, qualities, and spirit.

Power and influence used for the wrong ends can never, be it in this world and most certainly in the next, be anything to envy. Similarly, in reality, those seemingly with power and influence but reluctant or unwilling to take the risks that come with using them for the right cause when the time comes, have NOTHING -- neither REAL POWER nor REAL INFLUENCE; and very likely no REAL LOVE for their country, or for their less fortunate and helpless countrymen.

In fact, I would even say the prevailing situation had been allowed to become what it is today because too few of the wealthy and influential, the well-off and the privileged, those in high positions, and the many glibly courageous, articulate, bold or emboldened in private, have TOO LITTLE of THE VALUES THAT REALLY COUNT.

It was against this worryingly uncertain backdrop a little over a year ago that I decided I could no longer, in good conscience, be a bystander merely observing the freewheeling and dangerous waywardness of this present leadership. Beyond that, and despite fully acknowledging my limited everything and my very modest place in this life, I decided I would do all that I could and more, to help in whatever legitimate way possible in bringing an end to the reign of this band of unprincipled pretenders, uncaringly out to run my country into the ground.

Many are banking on the next GE to have a change of leadership and an end to our present problem. In this respect, I'm totally convinced the public resentments against the ruling coalition as a result of their runaway misdeeds is so widespread, more than sufficient for them to be roundly defeated at the poll. Yet, I continue to worry that the next GE, whenever and if it were to take place, might still not bring about the change of leadership our country and our people so desperately need.

In a frail and much abused democracy such as ours in its present state where shenanigans are commonplace, led and controlled by those who cannot afford to lose their power of incumbency and to whom NOTHING is off-limit, too many untoward things can happen. And we have already witnessed too many of those.

Thus it is crucial to anticipate every possible scenario that can rob the majority voice of their legitimate and true will. Adequate countermeasures must be in place, set to respond to any manipulative underhandedness. This would be a real challenge against an adversary with unlimited options and resources, determined and desperate to hold on to power at any cost. 

This is the soft underbelly the present less-than-trustworthy leadership would be certain to exploit in every way possible.

Today, our country is at a crossroad. The threat we face warrants some very serious soul-searching for all its loyal and concerned citizens. Our resolve and commitment in managing and overcoming this

impending disaster will be a telling measure of our worth as a people and as a nation in the eyes of the world -- and far more significantly, in the eyes of our future generations.

We are facing our biggest threat ever -- the blatant and outright denial of the legitimate rights of our citizens, and the death knell for the hopes and aspirations of several future generations. 

Like any Malaysian who loves this country, we are obliged to do all that we can to save this nation -- within the laws; for as long as the laws are fully respected. Strongly voicing our dissatisfactions, criticisms, and serious concerns with one common voice, would be a minimum first-step of a legitimate recourse. Already the prevailing situation more than warrants this.

Beyond this broad overall directional effort, as individuals and, as appropriate and where possible, in organised groups, we should also undertake ANYTHING and ANY INITIATIVE that would move us towards the objective -- and at some point, our efforts should all come together as one. 

After all, the overriding objective is one and the same. And surely a majority and determined citizenry, the ultimate and the real power in any country, must surely be more resourceful than a bunch of greedy and crooked hijackers.

However our respective efforts might fare and regardless of how things should turn out; whatever the end-results might be and no matter what difference they might make; we would just have to give whatever we should decide we have to do, the best and everything we could. It is, after all, what we soldiers, and those genuinely loyal to the country must do when it is under threat; no more and no less.

For me, and perhaps for many others as well, it is also the only way to keep peace with my conscience. 

We have no other choice. WE HAVE TO PUT THINGS RIGHT WHEN OUR RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT IS DENIED US AND IS NO LONGER A RIGHT; and PUTTING RIGHT WHAT IS WRONG CAN NEVER BE WRONG.

A piece of a favourite ballad of mine speaks for my thoughts and emotions on this day -- it reads.....

"So let's fight this threat the best we can

No matter how everything would all end

As long as our best we give, and more

We could well lose this battle but not the war

For this life could just end; suddenly over

Yet the spirit of our cause would live forever

A glorious chapter on this day in history

Of a people fighting to reclaim their country"

Our thoroughly abused nation is painfully struggling and gasping, waiting for its citizens' awakening, desperately hoping for intervention and its recovery and resuscitation.

So let us again ask ourselves the same question we started with -- "Are we a people standing straight and upright who will fight however we might for what is right; or a people unworthy even of mention who can be deceived or frightened into silent submission?"

Viva my beloved country; my Ibu Pertiwi --- May you always be blessed by The Almighty.

Maj Dato Kamaruddin Mohd. Jamal

Pingat Gagah Berani

Articles by Dato Kamaruddin Mohd Jamal : 

Kamaruddin Mohd Jamal : My very troubled thoughts on Merdeka Day 2017......

Kamaruddin Mohd Jamal : "Apa kah, dan mana kah, NILAI-NILAI MURNI dan HALATUJU BANGSA KITA, wahai Melayu?"

KAMARUDDIN MOHD. JAMAL : IS THE LOYALTY OF OUR ARMED FORCES WITH THE GOVERNMENT OR THE PEOPLE?

Kamaruddin Jamal : “Violation of Allegiance to the Sovereign and State” is the definition of “High Treason”

Kamaruddin Mohd Jamal : My very troubled thoughts on Merdeka Day 2017......

THIS CRIPPLING HYPOCRISY

In their paths we bow low; and such awe we all show
Their words we echo; their meanings we hardly know
Scrambling to get close to them as close as we can be
Striving to be noticed; chanting false praises endlessly

Their views we champion strongly; defend vigorously
Never to question or dispute as if sacrosanct and holy
No amount of contending truth can ever make us see
Or voice our dissenting views even if we do not agree

Very seldom do we really listen to the things they say
To verify their wisdom or the foolishness they display
Far from it to contradict them or mildly disagree even
Uncaring for the truth adding to this unholy reverence

What they do or say actually do not in the least matter
Because right or wrong we do not really much bother
Who cares if they were genuine or just glib pretenders?
As long as they serve our narrow and selfish interests

This pretence we take on with such consummate flair
A charade we perpetuate for as long as they are there
Not in the least concerned for quality, ability, or integrity
Daily nurturing this myth of their seeming infallibility

A destructively self-defeating game we seem to share
To look after our narrow self-interest; all that we care
Even if our children's children will damn our memory
Yet blinded by this greed-game, who needs to worry?

When will this pantomine end - where Will it take us?
Are some troubling questions we really need to ask
A disempowered society we are clearly fast becoming
A people blissfully impotent and malignantly uncaring

If all these said be true as they very much appear to be
What would in the end become of this beloved country?
Starved of real and meaningful voice of its own society
A self-crippling impotence of this shameless hypocrisy

Kamaruddin Mohd Jamal

Kamaruddin Mohd Jamal : "Apa kah, dan mana kah, NILAI-NILAI MURNI dan HALATUJU BANGSA KITA, wahai Melayu?"

KEMANA KAH HALATUJU BANGSAKU?

Melayu bangsaku; Islam agamaku

Bumi Malaysia tanah tumpah darahku

Tempat lahir dan juga bumi perjuanganku

...dan jika ditakdir; tempat bersemadi nya aku...

Bangsa Malaysia suatu visi harapan muka buatku 

Kemakmuran negara tercinta sentiasa menjadi do'aku

Kecemerlangan dan kejayaan generasi depan sandaranku

Berjuang membantu buat menentu segala ini tanggunganku....

Sungguh jelas dan banyak yang aku pasti, yakin, dan tahu......

......cuma yang aku langsung tidak mengerti, lantaran amat menyedihkan hati, hanya satu....

...Apa kah, dan mana kah, NILAI-NILAI MURNI dan HALATUJU BANGSA KITA, wahai Melayu?

......Seperti yang ku tulis dalam sabuah puisi bahasa Inggeris 

Ketika sisa-sisa kemegahan bangsa kian tercalar, terguris

Melihat segala angkara yang kian marak merebak berlaku...

Seperti lupa segala; kerakusan berleluasa tampa segan dan silu

Seperti luputnya iman samasekali lantas menodai tuntutan Ilahi 

Apa kan ini ciri-ciri murni bangsa kita yang telah kita warisi?

Apa kah kealpaan kita tidak mencemar martabat bangsa?

Wajar kah sokongan membabibuta kepada yang jelas berdusta?

Apa kah budaya dan tabiat kita sekarang tidak membawa malu?

Tidak kah sikap kita sekarang jelas menjatuhkan darjat Melayu?

Cuba-cuba lah agar usaha dan tenaga bersama kita gembeling

Mencari jawapan buat soalan "WHERE ARE WE HEADING?"...

... RENUNG-RENUNGKAN LAH RINTIHAN PEDIH DI PELUSUK HATIKU 

MUNGKIN JUGA DIRASAI BERSAMA BAK LUKA SEMBILU DI HATI BEJUTA LAGI KAUM MELAYU........

WHERE ARE WE HEADING?

Every so often I would think about our culture; our character

Our strengths and failings; what would make us soar or falter

The many traits that made us slaves; those that set us free

Traits that gave success; or which long ago cost us our liberty

Many characteristics would immediately come to mind

Loyal and obedient, sensitive and emotional, gentle and kind

Each in itself, if correctly balanced, so positive, so invaluable

Made for easy alignment and cohesion - anything possible

But this can only be so if we have sincere, fair, worthy leaders

For such traits encourage ready agreement but smother ideas

When only a few would make all the decisions; unchallenged 

Every other idea if not so blessed, unworthy even of mention

As such the knowing leader should encourage differing views

Not just mere talk but sincere actions to make the words true

For if they were never really meant, the followers would know

And what was deemed the unspoken wish they would still toe

Unthinking reverence with emotions often gel very dangerously

An explosive mix that can create deciples all bristling and ready

When even seeming disrespect could scrape raw sensitivity

Any dissenting tone instantly faced with unmitigated hostility

Such is the nature of our obedience; unthinkingly unshakeable

Faith in the leader; whatever said or done, no wrong possible

Such rivetingly galvanising effect, so powerful and all potent

Only safe if led by one totally sincere, honest, and enlightened

Such unquestioning faith, unthinking obedience, such loyalty

Would not let the leader's failings to be acknowledged readily

Bringing mediocrity to our society; accountability fast fading

A pitfall only a knowing and wise leader could ensure avoiding

Someone unwise, arrogantly uncaring of this unique character

Might even believe he'd suddenly become a wonder of a leader

Intoxicated by fllattering chorus, pure fiction can become reality

A rabid addiction the people would have to put right eventually

For values must be consistent with logic, conscience, integrity

Which if not so tempered, would become such costly absurdity

As would collusions through undue rewards or outright bribery

A total travesty leading only to discord, mayhem, and tragedy

These are some distrurbing traits we now increasingly display

Traits that have become so obvious, or was it always that way?

After all, we did everything we were told for hundreds of years

Even killed or hurt a close kin if they were the king's desires

Maybe after all these centuries we haven't really changed at all

Despite our commitment to move ahead, as a race standing tall

Despite our resolve to create a responsible and thinking society

Despite our vision and the joyous promise of truimphant glory

Perhaps all these will remain just mere dreams; a vision too far

The traits will continue; and everything will be just as they are

All the high-sounding declarations will continue to be just that

For isn't it always the case; whatever we sow we will surely get?

These are some sobering thoughts I quietly reflect on so often

Perhaps the same thoughts in the minds of many silent millions

What is certain is that we'll get nowhere doing things as we do

Our future cannot be left to the selfishly wayward arrogant few

by Maj Dato Kamaruddin Mohd. Jamal

Pingat Gagah Berani

KAMARUDDIN MOHD. JAMAL : IS THE LOYALTY OF OUR ARMED FORCES WITH THE GOVERNMENT OR THE PEOPLE?

That was a question posted by a friend recently. 

It is clearly not a question asking "what RIGHTLY it SHOULD BE" but "what it WOULD BE". 

Given the too many recent surprises taking place within our systems of governance related to what had actually happened versus what rightly should have, it could be anybody's guess.

It would not be an easy question to answer with any degree of certainty - perhaps even impossible, until the issue is put to the test. 

I can only give my personal views on it, while sharing what my mind went through when I asked myself that same question some half a century ago. 

Like many others, I took my oath as a soldier at eighteen. 

That was when I first became familiar with the idea and concept of "serving King and Country" - words that sounded patriotic, noble and lofty, even poetic ...yet simple enough.

Did I understand what they had meant? Did I know what it would demand of me; one sworn to defend and protect his homeland with his life?

At the time I sincerely believed I did. 

And when two years later, I was commissioned into the Royal Malay Regiment, I also thought its motto of "TAAT SETIA" had seemed totally consistent with that belief.

However, I very soon learnt this was merely my overly simplistic assumption, very likely glossed over by the excitement of embarking on a much-dreamt-of choice career.

When I was face to face with the enemies, or directly engaged against them, my tasks were always crystal clear and totally without any ambiguity; but they had seemed less so under other situations - situations I had not deliberated on or fully thought through.

And my search for answers began. 

What could these different situations be? And what would the range of varying circumstances possibly cover?

What exactly is meant by "Serving King and Country"? Is the King a personal King or the institution; and who or what would constitute the Country? 

What does the motto of TAAT SETIA really mean beyond its literal dictionary meaning? What do these two words demand of me? To whom or what exactly do I owe my loyalty - the King in person, the institution of the monarchy, the government, elected politicians in high office, the respective military commanders, or the people; the Rakyat?

Is the loyalty expected of me absolute and total? Is the obedience being demanded of me equally absolute and total under all circumstances - even if the nation is in such chaos and being ravaged and run into the ground? 

Am I expected to remain loyal and obedient to the wrong side even as rampant and blatant wrongdoings continue?

I realised these questions would seem, at the time, quite out-of-place and uncalled for. How could I even entertain such thoughts when my country was flying high, basking in glorious sunshine, the envy of many, and a much touted example of a nation, led by capable, honest, sincere leaders, marching to even greater height?

How dare I contemplate such rediculous scenarios sounding totally distrusting and perhaps even disloyal? 

Maybe such thoughts did indeed seem incongrous; but only for as long as the country continued to be led by honest and ethical leaders genuinely respectful of the laws, systems, and the views of the Rakyat. 

The moment things start to go wrong and a growing majority were to become restless and dissatisfied, contending factions would emerge. Unchecked and unresolved, this could lead to a level of very real and dangerous crisis situation.

IT WILL BE AT SOME STAGE OF THIS ESCALATING RESTLESSNESS SCENARIO THAT THIS QUESTION OF LOYALTY WILL BE PUT TO THE TEST AND ANSWERED.

All these were, of course, totally hypothetical and unlikely scenarios a half century ago -- and I knew enough to keep my thoughts strictly to myself. 

The haunting questions, however, remained very much alive within me. And even as I continued to enjoy every minute of my service, I kept searching for answers. 

Is there a limit to my role and responsibilities in defending this sacred land and ensuring the safety, and well-being of this nation? 

Should there be any caveat to my doing anything and everything within all my means, in carrying out my sworn duty in the interest of my country and its people, when there is no such caveat to my sacrificing my life in its cause?

Over time, I came to believe I had found my answers - what I should, and must, hold on to; consistent with my conscience. Yet, even then, I still had to struggle with a few linggering doubts.

Would I dutifully follow whatever orders given to me when in all conscience I knew it was wrong? Would I support a cause that is malignantly wayward? 

Would I bow to the dictate of a self-serving leader at the expense of the nation? Would I help to uphold a regime that is against the interest of its people, even if I would be totally out of step with the majority of my compatriots? 

And what of the need for discipline, esprit de corps, team spirit, obedience, and loyalty - all that we hold near and dear as soldiers? How do I decide when these basic frontline values might be justifiably put aside in the greater interest of a bigger and far more righteous cause? 

Although I thought I would never be put to the test anytime in the conceivable future, these were issues I still had to resolve in my own mind to make me feel prepared and complete as a soldier - in knowing exactly what I was ready and willing to sacrifice my life for.

By the time I chose to end my service after twelve years, I felt totally sure I had ALL my answers.

Even as I left the only profession I had ever really wanted, I knew exactly what my OATH OF DUTY meant to me personally. I knew exactly what I would have to do, and would do, as a soldier sworn to ensure the well being of this land, under whatever circumstances. 

These answers, I realised had been there all along, inside me; even if I had to dig deep and thoroughly search my conscience to be sure of myself.

Many, if not most, might not have gone through what I did or even felt the need to do so. Even if they did, they might come up with different answers. 

Some, if not many, might choose to let the thinking and decision-making be done by their superiors no matter what; and continue to dutifully uphold the more obvious soldiering values of discipline, loyalty, and obedience, regardless of the situation or the circumstances.

Given the likely differing views, it would be very difficult to definitively say whether the loyalty of our present Armed Forces would be with the government or the people.

Speaking for myself, I had decided more than half a century ago, serving "King and Country" was, is, and always will be, serving the PEOPLE; and Loyalty to "King and Country" was, is, and always will be Loyalty to the just WELL BEING of the PEOPLE".

Everyone will have a view on this, and would wish to hold on to what he feels is right. The reality, very often, is that the view and the end-decision will be dictated or tampered by the decisions of those in the higher echelon of the organisation. 

However, depending on the gravity of the situation, the principles involved, and the issues at stake, the regard for the views and dictate of those in higher positions would differ significantly.

In a real crisis, one laced with emotions, involving issues directly impacting the people, command dictate and influence can ONLY BE EFFECTIVE if the dicisions were consistent with the peoples' majority views. If not, at best they could have only PARTIAL EFFECT, or be TOTALLY IGNORED, or WORSE.

In the final analysis, at a certain crisis threshold, anything goes - but in the end, the INTEREST and the WILL OF THE PEOPLE would prevail. This had either been the case, or waiting to be the case, in ALL instances.

This is the REALITY. Every nation is rooted in its people. They are the raison d'etre of the Armed Forces; the very reason the Armed Forces exist - to safeguard the interest of the NATION and its PEOPLE.

It is just a question of how we get there - how we finally get to that end-point of the crisis that had triggered the need for a military role in the first place.

Our Armed Forced have proven themselves beyond any doubt as to their ability, commitment, and readiness to defend this country. The Army, in particular, had played various roles and executed varying tasks, in and outside the country, with distinction.

Many had fallen in the course of duty; and many more had also made major sacrifices for this nation they had readily and proudly taken the oath to defend with their lives.

We are today embroiled in a unique and never before thought of situation; yet a situation now seriously threatening the future well being of our nation and future generations. It is a challenge we had neither forseen nor thought possible.

I have no doubt, as our nation's next-to-final bastion (the final being the Rakyat); our Armed Forces will rise to the ocasion, when the time comes, to fulfill their sacred oaths of duty as they had always done throughout our history.

And I believe, so will the near-total majority of their former members.

As to the original question of where rests the loyalty of our Armed Forces, I would not hazard any "either this or that" answer, but what I had gone through are some of the likely related considerations.

Let us hope and pray the Almighty will lead everyone concerned along the right path; and spare those coming after us the burden of paying for the mistakes of our generation.

by Maj Dato Kamaruddin Mohd. Jamal

Pingat Gagah Berani

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