Navy Personnel Are Free to Vote for Anyone During Elections, Says Royal Navy Chief

“Every civil servant, especially army personnel and the police force, MUST vote for the governing party” – this is a saying that we often hear during the general elections; but is it really a must?

More importantly, are civil servants required to stay loyal to the governing party?

Well, apparently the answer is NO. This is because, according to Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad, every navy personnel is entitled to the freedom of voting, reported The Star. It is a democratic country after all! 

Source: the star

“We are all free to make our own choices when we vote. Don’t be influenced by any incitement that can affect our decision. Use your wisdom based on facts, observations, achievements and our own experiences.”

“As responsible Malaysians, vote wisely. Remember, our vote is secret,” he said in a statement posted on the Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia Facebook page today (3 May 2018).

The post was also accompanied by a video, which encouraged their officers to vote. How motivating!

[arve url=”https://www.facebook.com/RoyalMalaysianNavy/videos/1758814804176520/” /]

Source: Facebook

On the other hand, Kamarulzaman advised the navy officers to refrain from getting involved in political activities but he didn’t state why they shouldn’t get involved. Maybe he doesn’t want them getting in trouble?

Meanwhile, on Wednesday (2 May 2018), Dr M also posted an open letter on his Facebook urging every army force (Navy, Ground & Air), including their wives, to cast a fair vote.

Source: the star

An excerpt from the letter reads;

“In conjunction with GE14, I urge commanders and officers to encourage members of every army force to vote without any arbitrary constraints from any party. They must be given the freedom to choose.”

Similarly, he penned another open letter to the police force encouraging them to vote not based on arbitrary constraints.

Source: the coverage

“I also hope that the security force (the police and the army) can vote freely in this GE14. They must not be pressed by contesting parties, especially the governing party, to vote only for them. The police and the army shouldn’t be blackmailed to not vote for the opposite party,” he wrote.

Therefore, according to the advice given above, civil servants are NOT obligated to vote for the governing party and also their votes can’t be revealed to another party because it should be a secret.

So, don’t be afraid and vote wisely! 

Also read: EC Chairman Debunks Viral News About Dress Code on Polling Day, Says It’s Fake