Major Zaidi Ahmad “dishonourably discharged” from the armed forces by a court martial for blowing the whistle about the washable “indelible ink” in the 13th General Elections?
How can a person be “dishonourably discharged” for doing an honourable thing, as speaking and standing up for the truth in a nation that cherishes truth and moral values?
It has been said that justice is truth in action. In Major Zaidi’s case, we see truth in action being penalized, making the court martial proceeding a travesty of justice and blot on the moral conscience of the country.
It is the armed forces and the Najib government which had been dishonoured by Major Zaidi’s conviction and the travesty of justice in sacking him for standing up for the truth.
Major Zaidi did not tell any lie or falsehood when he revealed that the indelible ink used in the 13th General Election could be washed off.
Bersih has rightly pointed out that “”Nothing has ever come from the hundreds of police report lodged against the Election Commission over this except for this particular one, which resulted in punishment for the whistleblower instead of the wrongdoer”.
The Election Commission owes in particular Major Zaidi Ahmad a duty of full recompense, as Major Zaidi Ahmad had neither told a lie nor a falsehood.
The fault is not Major Zaidi Ahmad but must be fully and absolutely borne by the Election Commission.
The Election Commission should fully compensate Major Zaidi Ahmad for all the monetary losses in remuneration and pension entitlements as a result of the unjust decision by the court martial today.
At this moment of national moral crisis in the country, when lies, falsehoods, chicanery and dishonesty seem to rule the roost in public life instead of honesty, probity and industry, Malaysia needs more Major Zaidis at all levels of government instead of drumming them out of public service.
If there is any case where the Defence Minister or even the Prime Minister should intervene to ensure that Major Zaidi can continue his sterling service in the military, this is the one.
Is Hishammuddin or Najib capable of such greatness?