Embrace principle of 'wala', PM tells security forces

The security forces in the country including the police and military have been asked to embrace the principle of ''wala'' or loyalty to the leader to ensure that the peace and progress achieved by the nation are maintained.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that in Islam, such a principle has been highly emphasised so long as the leader did not instruct to do something that was against Islamic laws.

"We should be loyal to the leader, we should know that a civilisation can be destroyed if we do not adopt the principle of ''wala''.

"For instance, the Lahad Datu intrusion four years ago in February 2013 in which there had been our own people betraying (their) own friends and leaking information on the movements of our troops to the enemy.

"As such, the enemy had waited and when our police teams went to a water village, the enemy ambushed them causing six police personnel and a special branch officer to die in a cruel manner," he said.

He said this at a ''moreh'' (supper) event and handing over of donations to disabled persons and Muslim converts at Dewan Serbaguna Rumah Kakitangan Angkatan Tentera (RKAT), 10th Mile Camp, here tonight.

Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and 4th Brigade (Mechanised) Brig Gen Datuk Md Din Abu.

Earlier, Najib and Adnan had also performed the Isyak and Terawih prayers at Surau Al-Ikhwan with a congregation of over 1,000 comprising military officers and men from the 10th Mile Camp.

The prime minister said it (the Lahad Datu case) was a sad incident as the concept of loyalty must be deeply ingrained among the members of the security forces, in addition to a high standard of discipline.

He also said the peace being enjoyed by the country did not exist by chance, instead it was due to the blood and sweat of the security forces over the years.

"Although there have not been any kind of deadly attacks like what happened in neighbouring countries, the security forces must be ready to face such threats.

"Improve strengths by increasing professionalism, concerted action and intelligence gathering...We can overcome any threat in the future if we act as such," he said, adding that the government would continue to take care of the welfare of the security forces in the country to the best of its ability.

-- BERNAMA