Army Willing To Reinstate Discharged Soldier If He Accepts COVID-19 Vaccination
The soldier was 16 months short of qualifying for a lifetime pension when he was dismissed.
By May Vin Ang — 26 Aug 2021, 11:38 AM
The Malaysian Armed Forces is willing to reinstate a soldier who was dishonourably discharged for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine, should he change his mind over the issue
According to Bernama, army chief General Tan Sri Zamrose Mohd Zain announced that the army will "hand over everything that this soldier deserves" if he agrees to receive the vaccination.
"The army will consider reinstating him if he is willing to get vaccinated, and I am confident government officials are taking appropriate action," the chief said at a press conference at Wisma Perwira ATM in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, 25 August.
However, until the soldier decides so, the army's decision to dismiss him still stands.
Zamrose said the army has 86,000 members and they do not want any implications of an unvaccinated soldier working in the team
"The army feels he is unsuitable because its members work in groups and it does not want any implications for other members because he is the only one who does not want the vaccine," he said.
Zamrose added that the soldier — earlier reported to be Sergeant Wan Ramly Wan Seman in the Royal Malay Regiment's 24th battalion based in Negeri Sembilan — has undergone four counselling sessions to convince him to take the vaccine, but to no avail.
It was earlier reported that the soldier was disappointed with his discharge even though he has served in the army for 19 years
Wan Ramly told Free Malaysia Today that he was practising his right for refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine as it has not been made mandatory by the government.
The father-of-three added that he was also only 16 months away from qualifying for a lifetime pension for his service. His dismissal will come into effect today, 26 August.
