Over a week after coming under heavy fire, Armed Forces chief Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor has clarified that the loyalty of the troops are with king and country, and not any political parties.

According to Utusan Borneo, Raja Mohamed also said that the armed forces are ever ready to serve the people and the ruling government.

"In the soul of a soldier, from the moment they are born to their death, is a spirit of strong loyalty to king and country.

"This never fades, so I wish to say that the armed forces are those who have undivided loyalty to king and country," he said at a press conference in Kuching, Sarawak yesterday.

On March 30, Raja Mohamed Affandi had urged the troops and police to be grateful and loyal to the government and now caretaker-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He was subsequently bombarded with criticism from several quarters including veterans, who said the armed forces pledge loyalty to king and country, and not to any political leader.

Armed forces loyal to a ‘former leader’ too

Meanwhile, caretaker defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein who was also present at the press conference, reminded certain parties not to question the loyalty of the armed forces.

"Do not try and belittle the armed forces. Don't try to trick outsiders with allegations (that the armed forces side with one party) because this is just sad.

"It has been played up by a former leader, who also received (the armed forces) undivided loyalty.

"Enough, there must be a limit in trying to get support and politicking," Hishammuddin said.

While he did not name anyone, the “former leader” he mentioned is likely a reference to former prime minister and Pakatan Harapan leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is among those who criticised Raja Mohamed Affandi.