SHAH ALAM, 12 March — More and more ex-army officials are openly displaying their support for Pakatan Rakyat, seen by many as solidifying the increasing support for the coalition in its bid to form the federal government come the 13th General Election.

Former army chief general General (Rtd) Md Hashim Hussein announced joining Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) at the party headquarters in Petaling Jaya on 6 March, joining an already strong list of ex-military top guns supporting Pakatan Rakyat.

They include Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Abdul Ghafir Abdul Hamid, Brigadier-General (Rtd) Abdul Hadi Al-Khattab, First Admiral Imran Abd Hamid, and Brigadier-General Najmi Ahmad.

The military top guns are seen as essential as to harness the support from the armed forces for DAP, PAS and PKR, refuting irresponsible claims from Barisan Nasional (BN) of “possible chaos” if Pakatan Rakyat comes to power.

The military will ensure a peaceful transition of power

Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Abdul Ghafir Abdul Hamid debunked the claim last February at the Pakatan Rakyat convention here, claiming that the military will “stand firm” behind any elected government in ensuring a peaceful power transition.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim suggested that military admission into Pakatan Rakyat parties was once unthinkable.

“Who would have thought two years ago that five army generals, including those of high ranks, would choose to support Pakatan Rakyat?” he said.

Anwar, also PKR de facto Leader, said so at the celebration of the 5th Anniversary of Pakatan Rakyat administration in Selangor, here on 8 March.

Long regarded as forming Barisan Nasional’s key electoral pools, the armed forces and the police make up about around 250,000 voters nationwide. — The Rocket