Veterans group Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) is upset over PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang inspecting a guard of honour comprising members of the party's volunteer corps, Jabatan Amal, dressed in uniforms resembling those of the army.
"The sight of Hadi inspecting a guard of honour dressed in uniforms very similar to the Malaysian Army Number One dress and medals has sent shock and disbelief among veterans.
"Section 140 of the Penal Code (Act 574) states that it is an offence for anyone not in the military service to wear any garb or carry any token resembling garb used by the military," Patriot president Mohamed Arshad Raji said in a statement today.
The incident took place yesterday when Hadi officiated the 64th PAS muktamar in Kuala Terengganu.
Arshad urged the government to act on the incident.
"Before things get further out of control, Patriot urges the Defence Ministry and Home Ministry to take appropriate action," he said.
As Arshad explained, the Malaysian Army Number One dress is usually won during ceremonial events or on very important occasions.
"The guard of honour in the military and the police, performed in full ceremonial dress, is usually performed as a mark of respect for members of the royalty, prime minister, deputy prime minister, defence minister, and generals.
"It is a serious matter and not to be indiscriminately used by any organisation so as to make a mockery of this very dignified military tradition," he said.
Arshad stressed that the Malaysian Armed Forces should jealously guard the traditions of the military.
"It should be guarding against their uniforms being abused by others who are not entitled to wear it.
"For this incident of the guard of honour by PAS members in lookalike Malaysian Army Number One dress, Patriot would expect the armed forces chief or the personnel staff chief to be the first to speak up," his statement read.
"The honour, integrity and traditions of the military and the police must be upheld.
"It is high time to put a stop to those non-military individuals and organisations wearing military uniforms or lookalike military uniforms, as well as military ranks."
