KUANTAN: A Pahang branch Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association has urged authorities to revoke the citizenship of business tycoon Tan Sri Koon Yew Yin for making insulting remarks towards the country’s armed forces.
Its representative Abdullah Seman said although Koon had apologised publicly, the association felt the authorities should take the matter seriously to ensure that similar incident would not recur.
"We hope the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al- Mustafa Billah Shah) will also intervene as the issue involves the dignity of the Armed Forces which is under his majesty's care.
"The statement is certainly an insult and aimed at inciting hatred towards the army.
"Action taken against Koon must be a lesson to all, and this include revoking his citizenship," he told reporters after three Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association branches namely from Paya Besar, Kuantan and Beserah lodged police reports at the district police station here today.
On Aug 12, Koon wrote on his blog that armed forces personnel should replace foreign workers at Felda plantations as one of the means to address the country’s bloated civil service.
He claimed that the armed forces personnel are doing nothing except for eating and sleeping, and many have never fired a shot except during target practice.
His remarks had irked various quarters including leaders from both the government and opposition, and non-governmental organisations which described the statement as disrespectful.
Abdullah said authorities must take immediate action or others might repeat the same remarks again and thinking that action will not be taken against them if they apologised.
