Daring display: RMAF personnel putting on an impressive show at the Air Force Training Institute in Ipoh. — Bernama
IPOH: Despite efforts by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, non-Malays made up less than 10% of the applicants during its recruitment drive, said RMAF chief Jen Tan Sri Roslan Saad.
This was after information about recruitment drives was disseminated yearly, he said.
“It’s not that the force is not recruiting non-Malays but very few of them are actually coming forward.
“This is a worrying trend. Very few non-Malays show interest in joining the force,” he said.
However, he said the response from Sabah and Sarawak was good.
“Qualified applicants from all races are welcome to join the force. Being in RMAF will give them a good chance of excelling in the aerospace field,” he told reporters after witnessing and inspecting the recruits under the 55/2016 series at the Air Force Training Institute here.
A total of 377 air force personnel, including 32 women, graduated yesterday.
Jen Roslan hoped the media would play a role in creating awareness among the non-Malays to join the force.
He said there were various fields within the force that the recruits could specialise in, citing engineering, administrative and air traffic, which indirectly would allow them to stand out in the aerospace sector.
On the outlook of the force for next year, Jen Roslan, who will be retiring soon, said it would be a challenging year ahead.
However, he said RMAF would not steer away from its mission despite the Government’s financial constraints.
“We will maintain our capability, skills and training, but in areas where we can save cost, we will do it.
“Certain exercises will also be reviewed, but the important ones will be retained,” he added.
