THE recent deployment of soldiers from 1st Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment as guards at Buckingham Palace has drawn some negative comments, some unduly harsh, on the justification and efficacy of such an exercise.

These criticisms speak of our utilitarian outlook fuelled by the pursuit of material goals, with the subsequent lack of appreciation for culture and heritage. The government’s vague and muddled articulation on this matter didn’t help either.

“Guard” in the local context is associated with tired old men, probably otherwise unemployable ex-soldiers or ex-policemen manning the gates and sometimes getting shot by robbers.

In the military profession, however, “guard” carries a high-prestige value. Traditionally, guard units are entrusted with the duty of guarding a king’s palace and as the king’s bodyguards. Guard units must be of the highest professional standards and, most important of all, unquestionable loyal to the king.

The “guard” title may also be conferred on military units that have performed well in the field such as the guard units of the Russian army.

Closer to home, the Singapore army has a Singapore Guards Regiment, which is trained for more difficult combat missions.

It is, therefore, no easy feat to be offered such an assignment, given that Buckingham Palace houses the world’s most high-profile royal family.

As to the criticism of guard duty as a cheap stunt acted out by “characterless dummies”, it is merely due to the ignorance of certain quarters towards the specific methods of military training and the qualities that must be present in the professional soldier.

Some quarters, due to misplaced sentiments, have equated this assignment to kow-towing to our former colonial master, and thus a compromise of our national sovereignty.

In fact, the deployment of the Malay Regiment symbolises the continuation of our traditional ties with the British. However, as a sovereign state, there is no question of kow-towing as we are there to perform only ceremonial duties, not some overt act that would fulfil the specific agenda of the British ruling class.

This continuing links with the British, in the context of the current global scenario, is particularly significant.

The 9/11 attacks in the United States, Iraq and Afghan wars, the cartoons and videos mocking Islam in Holland, and the London bombing by terrorists just a few years ago have caused great suspicion of many European host populations towards their Muslim migrant communities.

That the British would still invite a Muslim unit to guard the apex of the British polity is a major public relations coup, in that it demonstrates the “magnanimity, fair-mindedness and stature” of the British.

On our part, we have this great opportunity to show the world that Malaysia, despite being Muslim, is nevertheless able to rise above politics and prejudice for the sake of “humility and goodwill”, displaying the “finest qualities” and “highest standards” in the related undertaking. This is a notable event, given the emphasis of British news reports which describe the Malay Regiment as the “first Muslim unit to guard the palace”.

This assignment is no doubt a covert political and public relations exercise, but one in which both sides stand to gain. In particular, Malaysia’s image as a modern progressive Muslim country, tolerant and acceptable amid the current tensions, would be greatly enhanced.

Y.C.H., Subang Jaya

Source: NST – May 23, 2008