KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Armed Forces stressed that every senior officer appointment is carried out professionally, based on meritocracy, and with full consideration of the organisation’s strategic needs.
It said the evaluation process also takes into account leadership track record, integrity, operational experience, competency, professional qualifications, suitability for the position and current service requirements.
For some important and strategic jobs, having expertise in the subject is also very important, which includes experience working with different military services, exposure to national and international strategies, and the ability to work with various agencies and stakeholders.
“As such, the appointment of senior armed forces officers is not assessed solely based on an officer’s original corps, branch or service.
“The development of senior leadership within the Armed Forces is the result of a combination of command experience, operational exposure, professional military courses, strategic management, joint assignments and international exposure, which collectively form the main basis for determining an officer’s suitability for strategic positions,” it said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.
This statement was issued in response to views expressed in an article titled “Lantik pegawai kanan ATM ikut merit” (Appoint Senior Armed Forces Officers Based on Merit), published by a local newspaper last Saturday.
The Armed Forces said that it believes every opinion voiced is based on concern for the country’s defence institution while noting that every appointment decision also takes into account various strategic considerations and service requirements, not all of which can be explained openly due to organisational and security sensitivities.
