Why has having done something so exceptionally right, turned out to be mortally wrong? Without an iota of the minutest of doubt, there is absolutely no denying that Captain (Rtd) Mukhtiar Singh gave his all to this country. It is well documented. So why has it brought so much of unwarranted pain and even shame to a man who should instead have been heralded as a human being to emulate? "Human error — it’s been said before — and I am willing to lay my life on the line that I am 100 per cent positive, it was not on Mukhtiar’s part," says an equally disillusioned Lt Col (Rtd) Mohd Idris Hassan, who has been seeking justice for his army instructor, comrade and friend.

"And that error, unfortunately, is being perpetuated. "I am sincerely appealing to our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also the Defence Minister and whom we all recognise for his compassion, to kindly intervene in this case to restore the pride and dignity of Capt Mukhtiar — so that, and I will say it — that he can die in peace and with dignity." Yesterday, Malay Mail reported that the Defence Ministry had "rejected his claim" once again for a pension, which Mukthiar would have rightfully received but for a blunder, which incidentally, all his immediate superiors even deemed unimportant. Yesterday too, there were two offers of ‘‘financial assistance’’ from an organisation and a member of the public, which Mukhtiar flatly refused.

Since his retirement 30 years ago, the implication of not receiving a pension has been misconstrued as Mukthiar having done something "so terribly wrong" such that he had been rendered ineligible for a pension.. "The singular one and only reason was because he had failed to attend the compulsory Young Officers Tactics and Platoon Weapons courses, which while true, is the biggest of ironies as Mukhtiar was hardly young and as an instructor of over 16 years, he was considered an expert in both these fields – and more.

"But Mukhtiar’s name was never on any list for these courses; he was even told he need not attend these. His commanding officer (a Lt Kol), his next superior, the Garrison Commander (a Colonel) and his division commander (a two-star General) strongly recommended him fully for a regular commission (pension) despite knowing that he had not gone for the courses. Nothing can be stronger than these," said Idris, stating that the courses for permanent staff officers (PSOs) gaining regular commission was an afterthought for this absorbed services group of people, to which Mukhtiar belonged.

These commanders were strongly well aware of Mukhtiar’s excellent service in the Emergency and Armed Forces, and the many other courses under his belt that they recommended him for regular commission."For those who held desk jobs, and were blissfully unaware of Mukhtiar’s illustrious career, to later say that his regular commission was denied because of these two courses in itself is an insult to all his commanders who knew him so well and who recommended him strongly."Idris has compiled all of Mukhtiar’s heroic deeds and records which anyone interested can receive by emailing: tcolidris@yahoo.com
The Malay Mail