MELAKA, March 4 (Bernama) -- Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid
Hamidi has urged politicians especially those in the opposition to avoid further
politicising the army''s assets, which could prove to be detrimental to national
defence.
He said they ought to be aware of the fine line between national defence and
politics.
"The opposition had raised issues about our defence assets for political
capital which turned out to be without basis.
"They mocked me about the missing aircraft engines and as revealed, the
culprits were not the defence minister nor the army chief. And we have pressed
charges against the thieves.
"When they claimed a submarine failed to submerge, we invited (chief
minister) Lim Guan Eng to join us underwater in it," he told reporters after the
handing over of the ministry-owned SMD Ouessant Agosta submarine today to the
Melaka state government which was represented by chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd
Ali Rustam.
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ZAHID-ASSET 2 (LAST) MELAKA
Also present were French ambassador to Malaysia, Dorance Martine and
Royal Malaysian Navy chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.
The vessel, an underwater training platform for navy crew trainees before
they start operating conventional submarines, is now a muzium exhibit at the
Maritime museum complex in Klebang here.
Ahmad Zahid added, politicians should first get a clarification from the
ministry on any issue before raising it publicly and confusing the people
besides offending army professionals who had nothing to do with politics.
"I don''t want them to unwittingly become agents for outsiders," he stressed.
-- BERNAMA
KIA ELM AO