Armed Forces chief: We won’t interfere

The Armed Forces chief said the military had no intention of interfering in the political affairs of the country.

Jeneral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal said the armed forces would leave it to the Government to handle race relations in the country, which has been played up by some parties lately.

“The armed forces is highly professional and apolitical. I was only voicing my concern over the issue,” he said of his call to the Government on Tuesday to take stern action against those who stoked racial sentiments.

He reiterated his call Thursday, but added that the armed forced would not get involved in “internal squabbles” unless requested through the legal process by the authorities or police.

“Our secondary role is to support the police and government agencies in any form of operations where our presence is requested -- such as for internal security, humanitarian and disaster relief operations,” he told a press conference.

He however said it was everyone’s duty to protect national unity and ensure the nation was stable.