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Rahimy Rahim

The Star

Publication Date : 19-03-2013

Malaysian Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has criticised several former generals for mocking the military intelligence over its alleged failure to detect and pre-empt the Lahad Datu incursion.

He said Malaysians should not fall for the claims made by the group who ridiculed the tactics and strategies taken by authorities in Ops Daulat.

“They should not undermine or insult our military techniques.

“I am afraid that the individuals have been used as political tools by certain parties,” he said after a ceremony to hand over cheques to families of armed forces who were involved in the Lahad Datu incident at its headquarters yesterday.

During the event, a total of 100,000 ringgit (US$32,000) from the Social Care Foundation and 50,000 ringgit from DRB-Hicom Bhd were donated to the Armed Forces Welfare Fund.

DRB-Hicom also allocated 10,000 ringgit to the families of those who perished, while 3,000 ringgit was allocated to each family of personnel who were injured in Ops Daulat.

Zahid Hamidi said the group should realise that the situation had changed since the former generals held posts in the armed forces.

“Although they are no longer with the army or have an opposing view with the government, their stand on military policies should not be different from us,” he said.

*US$1=3.1 ringgit