KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu tickled the funny bones of Armed Forces personnel and guests when he quipped that “it was easier to speak at a ceramah than to read speech texts” at a pre-Hari Raya Aidilifitri event here, on Thursday.
Mohamad Sabu said, in his 40-year career as a speaker, he had always ‘winged it’ but now, after becoming a minister, has to depend on prepared speech texts.
“For 40 years, I spoke without the need for any texts, and now, it’s prepared speeches galore,” he said, to much laughter by the audience.
Mohamad Sabu was speaking at an event to present Hari Raya Aidilfitri goodies to military personnel at the Auditorium Wisma Pertahanan, Jalan Padang Tembak.
Also present were Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Mohamad Noor, Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, Air Force chief General Tan Sri Affandi Buang, and Army chief General Tan Sri Zulkiple Kassim.
In his speech, Mohamad Sabu said he was moved by the sacrifices of Malaysian soldiers of the past who faced numerous trials and tribulations to defend the country.
Mohamad Sabu said, this Aidilfitri, the Armed Forces received cash donations from 48 agencies such as corporate bodies, private companies as well as volunteer groups, totaling RM1.64 million.
The Armed Forces also received contributions in the form of goods from 11 companies, cooperatives and volunteer groups.
“As the Defence Minister, on behalf of the Armed Forces, I thank you for these contributions.
“The sincerity of these contributions are proof that the people recognise the efforts of our servicemen in upholding the country’s sovereignty,” he said.
He expressed hope that more companies, especially those with close ties with the Defence Ministry or major-sized ones, would also help Armed Forces personnel who are on duty this Raya.
“These contributions mean a great deal to the soldiers who have sacrificed plenty in leaving behind their families for the sake of the country.”