Isu Veteran

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 There is some friction continuing to build up between the Armed Forces Veterans and the Mindef folks. The Veterans were supposed to have a protest gathering. They are unhappy over their pensions etc.
Then two or three days ago there was a parade of sorts where Veterans were present. Again some of them have complained through Social Media that they were not happy with how they were treated. 
Here are some of the pictures and captions:

 
 
Well it does look like the sun and the heat were too hot for that one man (circled in red below) who had to sit down on the parade ground. Others have retreated to the sides while a couple of the veterans have removed their shoes ?? (Red arrows).

  

These guys (picture above) seem to be enjoying sitting under a tree and eating their nasi bungkus or something. 

Then the  Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) has made a reply to "clarify" the matter. Here they are :

 
https://www.thesundaily.my/home/normal-for-veterans-to-stand-under-the-hot-sun-during-a-static-parade-pvatm-KY9247837

KL : Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) clarified it is normal for veterans to stand under the hot sun during a static parade, as shown in a video and photographs which have gone viral.

Its president Datuk Sharuddin Omar (pix) said the parade depicted in the images was organised to celebrate PVATM’s 100th anniversary and not to greet Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as alleged.

“For PVATM members, it was a big honour to be part of the static parade. The selection of participants was based on several criteria, including health stability,” it said in a statement today.

Sharuddin said photographs being circulated since yesterday showing participants eating under trees involved parade participants from Kedah PVATM taking a break around Masjid Tuanku Mizan in Putrajaya before prayer times.

“To prevent a recurrence of this (viral images), PVATM would not hesitate to take legal action against those who spread negative comments and criticisms against the association,” he said.

Images of several veterans standing under the hot sun at an event in Putrajaya last Saturday were spread on social media today. - Bernama 
My Comments :
I think there are larger issues here which are beyond this clarification by the president of the Veterans Association.
As I said the Veterans are already planning a public protest to voice some grievances that they have. 
Todate the language that has been used by all sides  (including the statement above) has not been too amicable. 
I have read the Minister's statement which was not too friendly, I have read that letter by one Major which used some strong language and now the threat by the president of the veterans association to take legal action.
My advice is on how to approach the differences. Whether they will find solutions remains to be seen but in cases like this my view is let the Veterans say what they want.
They are seniors, they have served the country, the country has ordered them to put their lives in harm's way, some have died because of that - yes that is the nature of their job but it is not your everyday 9-5 job. 
They may not have the eloquence or the diplomatic finesse to voice their opinions but so what? Let them speak first - without interruptions and threats.
Everyone deserves respect and I think that is what the Veterans are asking - to be treated with some respect. 
The Prime Minister  better keep an eye on this situation. The Veterans are not the only ones feeling the pinch. A lot of people are facing difficulties but not everyone is a member of an association like the Veterans Association. Not everyone is as organised like the Veterans. So we do not hear the complaints of other people. But it does not mean that everyone else is hunky dory happy happy. 
Serupa "air tenang jangan disangka tiada buaya" begitu juga 'langit biru jangan disangka tidak boleh ribut'.
Di negara kita ini matahari boleh cerah, langit biru, angin cantik. Sekejap nanti boleh bertukar berawan hitam, guruh dan petir, hujan ribut dan banjir kilat. 
Sediakan payung saja tak cukup. Sediakan bot penyelamat sekali. Nak payung siapa nak selamatkan siapa pun kena fikir baik-baik. 

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
By Syed Akbar Ali 

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