The gesture of respect shown by senior leaders of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) towards ministers, including bowing or kissing the hand during greetings, should not be viewed negatively or as diminishing the stature of the nation’s defence institution, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said.
Speaking during the winding-up session of the debate on the motion of Thanks for the Royal Address for the Defence Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, Adly stressed that such gestures were a form of courtesy and respect, not an act of subservience.
He was responding to remarks by Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN–Ketereh), who earlier questioned a video showing senior ATM leadership appearing to kiss the hand of a minister, arguing that the practice should be stopped.
Adly, who is also the Member of Parliament for Alor Gajah, said the matter should not be interpreted as lowering the dignity of the armed forces. Drawing from personal experience, he explained that as a civilian, it is customary to bow slightly when meeting senior military leaders rather than salute, and that such gestures are rooted in mutual respect.
“When I saw the image, the act of bowing was interpreted as something degrading. I believe we should not take the interpretation that far,” he said, adding that courtesy should not be conflated with humiliation.
Khlir had referred to footage from the appointment ceremony of the 24th Chief of Defence Forces, General Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman, held on February 3 and officiated by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He urged the Defence Ministry to put an end to what he described as a culture of kissing ministers’ hands, arguing that such gestures were only appropriate towards parents, not government leaders.
Addressing the broader issue, Adly said the matter should not have been raised at all, particularly given the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces in safeguarding national security.
He emphasised that the respect accorded to defence personnel has never wavered and that no individual within the armed forces had been demeaned by such gestures.
“Our appreciation for the armed forces is unwavering. They do not only sacrifice their time, but also risk their lives for the country. There has never been any question of belittling or undermining them,” he said.
