A former commando trainer today defended the elite squad's training techniques in the wake of comments by a PKR parliamentarian that the practice violated human rights.

malaysia army commando video violence 160508 abdul rahim dahalan "Robust methods are necessary. Only then can they be prepared to face the worst," Malaysian Veteran Commandos club advisor Abdul Rahim Dahalan told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

"The commandos are trained to be strong or would you prefer them to be sissies?" he asked.

Yesterday, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR-Machang) revealed a five-minute video clip in Parliament depicting trainers physically abusing trainees and stepping on their heads to tarnish their dignity.

Abdul Rahim said the elite squad consists of volunteers or recruits who have graduated from basic military training.

"They know what they sign-up for when they submit their request to train as commandos. They have been told about the consequences of the course," he added.

Mental and physical strength

According to Abdul Rahim, recruits are required to complete six months basic training in the military and undergo an entrance test which will determine whether a candidate is capable to stand the pressure.

"From there we will select who goes where … who goes for sea bound, airborne, special operations and so on.

"After the first week at least half of them drop out, it's not easy and the techniques definitely are something that cannot be disputed because it is for their safety when they are in operation," he said.

He added that the candidates are put through severe and ruthless exercises to arm them with mental and physical strength to face the worst.

"They swear their allegiance when they earn their green beret and they swear to guard and protect be it in any situation," he said.

'Political stunt'

Rahim also described Saifuddin's claim of inhumane treatment as a political stunt.

military personnel tortured by army commandos 150508 05 "The video clip showed very basic training. It's a 100 percent more to what we have seen," he added.

Abdul Rahim said the Special Forces unit was first created to tackle guerilla warfare and communists insurgents in the country during the late 1960s and has been maintained ever since.

"They are here as an elite force to defend the nation. The issues raised shouldn't be there because the training that we conduct boils down to developing soldiers who are mentally, physically and spiritually prepared to face any situation.

"One commando is capable to lead a 30-men infantry for any operation. This is where they show leadership and we can see the skill of the commandos," said Rahim.

"The objective is to derive the best out of the person in the worst situation. If no such training was employed can you imagine what will happen when a soldier has to live in a jungle hideout for six months.

"I cannot say it's a bed of roses; there have been cases were some have gone mad and even some dead during the training - 20 percent causalities are allowed during the training," he said, adding that it was part of the job description.