While moving to lure more Indians and Chinese to join the military service, the Defence Ministry will not compromise on the requirement for admission into the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).

ahmad zahid hamidi The minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ( left ), said this was important to ensure that ATM personnel comprised those who fulfilled the selection criteria, such as passing the physical examination and academic qualifications.

"There is no compromise on the requirement for admission. Or else, we will have a military service of no quality.

"It (the requirements) remains the same (for other races), but we just need to give more incentives and promotions to lure them to join ATM," he said during a meeting between the MIC Youth, the Association of Malaysian Indian Ex-Servicemen Association and other Indian non-governmental organisations in Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur today.

Also present were Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department T Murugiah, Hulu Selangor MP P Kamalanathan, who is also MIC information chief, and MIC Youth chief T Mohan.

At the meeting, the MIC delegation also promised to bring in 2,000 candidates from among Indian youths to join ATM next year, and collaborate with the ministry to hold promotional roadshows and awareness campaigns for that purpose.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the ministry had never set a quota for promotion in the ATM to any race as it was determined by a military staff's performance.

He said all matters relating to promotion would be based on performance review, adding that the results should be approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"Every promotion should not be disputed because it is the final decision of the ATM Council, and the officers must obtain the consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," he said.

- Bernama