MELAKA – More than 39,000 Malaysian Army officers and personnel, as well as their spouses, will cast their ballots as early voters in the upcoming polls in six states on August 8.
Army chief Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman said of that number, more than 29,000 are military officers and personnel, while more than 9,000 are spouses.
“My advice is to choose a candidate who is seen to be able to govern the state well… choose well.
“We do not force army officers and members to vote for a particular candidate,” he told reporters after the 2023 army shooting skills test at Terendak Camp Shooting Range here today.
The Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, also took part in the test. Also participating was army deputy chief Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan.
Hafizuddeain added that the army is always ready to implement Op Neraca to ensure the safety of the people during the polls in Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, Negri Sembilan, Penang, and Selangor.
He said that the army also collaborated with the Royal Malaysia Police to identify hot spots in the six states that are likely to cause provocations or situations that could threaten public order, and stricter monitoring would be carried out at these locations.
Earlier, commenting on the 2023 army shooting skills test, he said that as many as 715 officers and personnel participated in the test, which has been held since July 21.
He said the event is a biennial shooting competition that aims to evaluate the ability and skill level of army personnel in handling weapons, both individually and in groups.
“Indirectly, this test has demonstrated the credibility of Malaysian Army personnel, who are always ready and committed to carrying out the main task of ensuring the security and sovereignty of the country,” he said. – July 30, 2023.