Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has chided Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu for supposedly reneging on a promise not to award honorary military ranks to politicians and celebrities.

This came after Mohamad awarded the rank of honorary brigadier-general to Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and Malacca Chief Minister Adly Zahari in their capacities as patrons of the Territorial Army Support Committee (Jakpaw) in their respective states.

“It’s hasn’t even been three months and he (Mohamad) is breaking his own promise. Pakatan Harapan’s Selangor menteri besar and Malacca chief minister have been awarded the rank of honorary brigadier-general by Mat Sabu himself.

“Even if you like them, it would suffice to treat them to fish head curry. Now you’re according them ranks too,” he said on Twitter today.

In a press release earlier today about the honorary ranks, however, the Defence Ministry (Mindef) said the honorary ranks were awarded by virtue of the pair’s position as Jakpaw patrons, which in turn was due to their position as heads of state government.

“The patron of Jakpaw in each state shall be the menteri besar or chief minister (of the respective state) that is approved by the Armed Forces Council and would be accorded the rank of honorary brigadier-general.

“In addition, the position of Jakpaw chairperson is reserved for the state secretary. The appointment of Jakpaw chairperson shall be made by the menteri besar, chief minister, or federal territories minister and carries the rank of honorary colonel.

“All these honorary commissioned ranks must be approved by the Armed Forces Council and assented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong beforehand, as stipulated under Section 198 of the Armed Forces Act 1972,” said the ministry.

Mindef said Amirudin’s and Adly’s Jakpaw appointments had come into effect on May 24, 2019.

It added Jakpaw was set up through an Armed Forces Council Order in each state to encourage members of the public to join the reserve forces by “leading by example”.

“This committee was established to plan all kinds of support for the reserve armed forces such as joint camps, promoting the Territorial Army among the community, and encourage members of the public to joined the reserve armed forces through their employer’s commitment,” it said.

The honorary rank can be revoked if its office-bearer does anything that could taint the armed forces’ reputation or no longer holds a government position.