PADAWAN: The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) are invited to hold more community programmes, such as the Tentera Masuk Desa (Army Goes Rural) programme in the Puncak Borneo parliamentary constituency.
The invitation was made by MP for Puncak Borneo Datuk Willie Mongin when he made a speech to officiate the “Kembaraduga & Gotong Royong Program” organised by the First Infantry Division’s Signal Regiment in conjunction with the unit’s 56th anniversary celebrationat Kampung Annah Rais here today.
According to the Deputy Minister of Plantation Industry and Commodities, such programmes will benefit the villagers, besides being able to strengthen the relationship between the army and the villagers.
In addition, he said it would also give the public an opportunity to learn about the duties and responsibilities of the military.
He added that, apart from the essential duty of maintaining the security and sovereignty of the country, the military forces are also involved in community duties when the country is at peace.
“These are the duties of our forces and military personnel that should be known by the public so that there is no perception that officers and military personnel are not doing any work,” said Willie.
Willie urged young people in Puncak Borneo to join the army or askar wataniah (territorial army).
On the gotong-royong programme that involved cutting the grass in the football field of Kampung Annah Rais and cleaning the surrounding of the longhouse yesterday, Willie said it was coincidental considering that there is currently an outbreak of dengue in Puncak Borneo.
Meanwhile Willie urged residents in the Puncak Borneo parliamentary constituency to always keep the residential environment clean to eradicate the dengue epidemic that is spreading.
The Commanding Officer of the First Infantry Division’s Signal Regiment Colonel Nik Nahar Nik Mohd Isa and the head of Kampung Annah Rais James Stephen Kurik also spoke at the event.
