An Elections Commission officer demonstrating how voters should dip their index finger into the indelible ink during the Kuala Besut by-election at Besut District Office operations room. A group of retired servicemen today claimed that the armed forces are wrong in charging air force pilot Major Zaidi Ahmad for lodging a police report on indelible ink used in Election 2013.— Picture by Saw Siow Feng

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 — A group of retired servicemen today claimed that the armed forces are wrong in charging air force pilot Major Zaidi Ahmad with going against regulations in lodging a police report on indelible ink used in Election 2013.

Pahlawan, an NGO representing retired security forces personnel, said that they do not see how the act of lodging a police report could be construed as an offence, when there are no guidelines on early voting for soldiers.

“There is no offence committed by Major Zaidi. It is not logical when an officer is being charged for carrying out his duty in lodging a police report on the indelible ink used,” Pahlawan president Hj Asri Buang said at a press conference.

Last Friday, Zaidi was charged in a military court on four counts of allegedly violating Malaysian Armed Forces Council orders by lodging a police report on the indelible ink used during early voting in last year’s national polls.

He was also slapped with three other charges for making a media statement without authorisation and sending two text messages which were political in nature.

Zaidi claimed trial on all seven charges.

Lumut MP First Admiral (R) Mohd Imran Abdul Hamid, who was also at the press conference, claimed there is no basis to make the charges stick as there are no specific regulations that bar a member of the armed forces from doing what Zaidi did.

“Unless there is a specific guideline that says that you cannot lodge a police report on indelible ink, there is nothing in the Act that relates to his charge,” he said, referring to the Armed Forces Act 1972.

The PKR lawmaker noted that if Zaidi is found guilty, he stands to lose his pension and all the benefits accumulated from his long years of service.

“He would most likely be placed on SNLR, which means services no longer required, and probably be released on dishonourable discharge,” Mohd Imran added.

Asri said the blame should be put squarely on the shoulders of the Election Commission (EC) and the leadership of the armed forces for failing to make sure there were no flaws in the early voting process.

“As Pahlawan president I demand that the leadership of the armed forces defend individuals who report on weaknesses in the EC in the interest of justice and transparency in the election process.

“This action is akin to threatening armed forces personnel in future elections. Pahlawan proposes that the charges against Major Zaidi Ahmad be immediately dropped to uphold the image and dignity of the armed forces,” he said.

Last May after the early voting process, Zaidi lodged a police report claiming that the indelible ink used came off easily when he washed his hands after casting his ballot.

His trial is scheduled for April 8-10.