KUALA LUMPUR: The perception of institutional racism in the Malaysian Armed Forces is not only misleading but detrimental to efforts in recruiting other races to join the military.

       Reserve Force division director-general Brig-Jen Padman Bhaskaran said the organisation was hierarchical in structure whereby in the army, only a few appointments are available for the posts of Brigadier-Jeneral onwards.

       “As a senior officer in the army and a non-Malay Brigadier-Jeneral, it is my responsibility to attest to some facts on the topic.

       “People who are closely associated with the Armed Forces, especially the army, know for a fact that in the last 10 years, non-Malays have held higher ranks, up to Leftenan-Jeneral, despite a low rate of recruitment of other races.

       “We must also not forget non-Malay medical officers who have risen to the ranks of Jeneral based on their expertise,” he said.

       He was commenting on a social media post by Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy who alleged that Armed Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Affendi Buang’s statement of no discrimination in the military was akin to “denying something that is so obvious and blatant”.

       Brig-Jen Padman, who has been in the military for 40 years, said currently, more than 430 posts were designated for the ranks of Kolonel and above in the army.

       “Some 15% of the posts are filled by non-Malays, with 13 Brigadier-Jeneral and Major-Jeneral appointments. In the army, promotions at all levels are based on individual excellence, meritocracy, seniority, vacancy, corps specialisation and the best man for the job criteria, irrespective of race and religion.

       “Certainly, favouritism and quota are not considerations to determine promotions in the Armed Forces,” he added.

       In the military, Brig-Jen Padman said, all officers and personnel were trained to be as one.

       “A fundamental aspect of the military is camaraderie beyond boundaries of ethnicity.

       “Currently, recruitment is done online, followed by a final selection which is strict and non-negotiable.

       “Non-Malay officers are also deployed in the recruitment team to ensure the reliability of the process so as to avoid discrimination,” he said.

       A serious fact to ponder is that non-Malays from Peninsular Malaysia make up the smallest group in the Armed Forces, he added.

       “In the last five years, only 5% of non-Malays applied for officer selection and less than 1% for the rank and file positions in Peninsular Malaysia. A career in the military has not been a pull factor for the non-Malays in Peninsular Malaysia compared to Sabah and Sarawak.

       “I presume better job prospects have contributed to a low percentage of applications among the non-Malays rather than a quota system,” he said.

       Brig-Jen Padman said taking note of this, the Armed Forces implemented various promotional initiatives such as the 7 to 7 programme to increase enrolment of the non-Malays, especially the Indians by as much as 7% within seven years.

       “Due to the pandemic, most of these programmes had to be postponed,” he added.

       Brig-Jen Padman also said the military was apolitical and that its loyalty was to the King and country.

       “I take this opportunity to encourage more non-Malays to join the military. The peaceful environment in the country is due to the bravery of the servicemen and women who put their lives at risk for the country and its citizens,” he said.

       Recently, during a special interview in conjunction with the 88th Armed Forces Day, Jen Affendi said the Armed Forces did not set any racial quota for the recruitment of soldiers.

       He said the notion that only a particular race was favoured to join the Armed Forces was a misconception as the recruitment was subject to applicants meeting the fixed conditions.

       “Selection is done in a fair and transparent manner without taking into consideration any differences in race or religion,” he said.