An army veteran has reminded the security forces to remain non-partisan during the 14th general elections, regardless of which party wins.

Retired brigadier-general Mohamed Arshad Raji in a statement today expressed concern over “rumour mongering about the possibility of an unrest should either political party wins or loses the election”.

“A number of possibilities and probabilities could occur prior to and post the election period.

“What is most desired by Malaysians is to see the orderly return to power should the incumbent ruling political coalition is victorious, or the smooth transition of power to the opposition coalition should they win the election.

“The armed forces and the police ought to be reminded of their pledges’ to serve King and country first, besides the protection of the people and their properties,” said Mohamed Arshad, who is Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan chairperson.

He said it is therefore vital that the armed forces and police remain united and cohesive throughout that critical moment until a government is formally announced, or in a case of a  transition of power should the opposition win, until the transition is complete.

“This is the time when the armed forces and the police must display its non-partisan role and maintain its integrity as a force that serves the King and country, void of any political interest.

“When the armed forces and the police adopt a partisan leaning and take instructions from politicians, then the nation is damned,” he said.

Mohamed Arshad also urged the authorities to be vigilant against those warning of unrest.

Such rumour mongering, he said, must not be allowed to fester, and the authorities must “come down hard against the perpetrators of such sinister plan to create fear and confusion”.

The authorities, he said, should use their intelligence network to “sniff out any attempt” and nip it in the bud.

Mohamed Arshad said the armed forces and police could learn from the Philippines experience, where the security forces “stood firmly by the side of the people, to ensure democracy prevailed” when then-president Ferdinand Marcos was deposed in 1986.