PKR-linked NGO Pahlawan has charged that RMAF pilot Major Zaidi Ahmad was being made an example of to frighten all army personnel from exercising their rights as citizens.

The NGO said it is illogical that the army had used a broad military law that's over 40 years old to fault Zaidi for his police report against the indelible ink used during GE13.

Pahlawan, comprising mostly army, police and other security forces veterans and headed by PKR leader Asri Buang, therefore urged that all charges be dropped against Zaidi, who is facing a two-year jail term if found guilty of disobeying his superiors.

"The use of the Armed Forces Act 1972 on major Zaidi Ahmad shows that the military leaders have no standing and are being directed by politicians.

"Such action is akin to intimidating army personnel, to frighten them for the next general election," Asri, Pahlawan's president, said in Ampang today at the NGO's second AGM.

Major Zaidi was suspended from flying and was charged in Military Court on February 7. He has claimed trial.

Pahlawan, formed in September 2012, said it will now rally all its 8,000 members to give Zaidi  financial aid and protest against the unfair charges.

They defended that Zaidi, like all Malaysians, deserve their rights to vote freely and fairly in the general elections, free from intimidation.

The army cannot deny any individual's right to report any fraud or weaknesses in the Election Commission (EC), Asri, a candidate for the Sungai Udang, Malacca state seat in GE13, said.

Indelible ink was used for the first time last May in the general election and the Coalition for free and fair elections (Bersih) has documented proofs that found that the ink washes off easily.

'Ink not as permanent as it should be'

As commanding officer of the No 12 squadron (F5 jets) based in Butterworth, Zaidi voted early and had made reports on May 1 that the ink used was not as permanent as it should be.

Pahlawan’s Asri said that Zaidi did the right thing and as a voter, he should be protected under Malaysia’s constitution. For transparency’s sake, he said that the armed forces must draw up election guidelines to make sure that such confusion does not arise in the future.

“Under the citizenship rights, anyone who is unsatisfied with the elections can make a police report,” he said, emphasising that this was above Zaidi’s military duty which he is being accused of violating.

When officially opening the Pahlawan meeting, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim also called Zaidi  a victim in his speech. Anwar said he would bring Zaidi’s case to Pakatan Rakyat leaders’ council next meeting for discussion.

"It’s the EC that should be punished,” Anwar said to a crowd at Kelab Darul Ehsan of veteran Pahlawan members who were also mostly PKR backers.

In Zaidi’s case, the charges against him are under Section 50(2) and Section 51 of the Armed Forces Act 1972 for making unauthorised media statements, and disclosing official information considered for internal use only and sending a text message.

The trial has been fixed for April 8, 9 and 10.