The Ex-Police Association of Malaysia (PBPM) has denied the claim of pervasive fear among officers and men of the force that they will be seen as derhaka (traitors) and ungrateful if they vote for the opposition.

PBPM president Shafie Bakri said the strong support of the police and military for the BN during elections is not due to fears of their salaries being slashed or not being promoted, but from confidence that BN can protect their welfare.

Shafie told Malay daily Berita Harian that members of the security forces were more comfortable with BN because it has brought peace, security, advancement and economic development to the country.

“We can see that the security forces are more advanced in terms of technology, weaponry, transportation, housing, salary and promotion opportunities. Everything offered by the government is so convincing that there is no reason to hate the government.

“The claim that we are bound or would be deemed as derhaka if we vote for the opposition during election does not arise,” Shafie is quoted as saying.

NONE He was responding to former Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department (CID) director Fauzi Shaari ( left ) who told Malaysiakini that the sentiment of gratitude and fear for the ruling parties is still strong in the police force.

When Fauzi joined PAS in May, Shafie reportedly described the act as “treacherous to the government” and that Fauzi had hurt many former police officers by his decision.

According to Berita Harian , Shafie stressed that the men in blue are free to vote for any party during elections.

“There is nothing to fear of in our country which practices democracy. We are free to vote for anyone and no action will be taken.

“However, I believe most of the armed forces members, veterans and policemen choose to support the government that has made a lot of contributions to them.

“Only a small group supports the opposition. We can’t force (them to vote the ruling parties) but as (PBPM) president, I would like to remind members not to make the wrong choice as it will affect our the country’s future,” he added.

PBPM has over 100,000 members in the country.

Shafie did not rule out the possibility that those former senior government servants who now support the opposition have their personal agenda including wanting to contest in the next general election.

'Support is genuine'

In a related development, Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told Utusan Malaysia that the overwhelming support given by the armed forces to BN during elections is genuine.

NONE “Don’t ever accuse the military of saying that their voters are bought (by the ruling coalition). Don’t level the accusation that they are forced to vote (or) that their votes were cast by their officers.

“This is like insulting their intelligence. For me, military votes are the same as other votes,” he was quoted as saying.

Ahmad Zahid also rebutted the claim that military voters are BN’s ‘fixed deposit’.

He claimed that,  in certain constituencies, up to 30 percent of military votes have gone to the opposition.

“If their votes were forced, all 100 percent would go to BN. This transparency should be noted. At the same time, when ballots were opened for counting, the candidates’ representatives were there which means they witnessed it,” he added.

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