All Hail The Generals

All Hail The Generals

“No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country” is the kind of awe inspiring quote attributable to a general with gravitas, specifically General George S Patton, that will lead men fearlessly into battle. Not the “Look, I’m naive. It doesn’t matter” kind of limp response from Singapore’s first Malay Brigadier-General (BG).

28 years ago, BG Ishak Ismail was responding to a skeptic’s question about his chances of promotion when he signed on with the Singapore Armed Officers (SAF). Unlike generals in other countries who serve with distinction under combat fire, BG Ishak, like most of his fellow BGs, earned his decorations for being Parade Commander of the National Day Parade in 1997 and the like. They learn to keep a clean record, and wait patiently for the day a CEO position in a Government Linked Company (GLC) becomes available when they reach retirement age.

Still the sensitive question about the uphill task Malay-Singaporeans face in rising up the ranks of the SAF lingers. BG Ishak’s personal take on this: “I don’t think (the promotion) of one man answers that question.” Member of Parliament (MP) Zaqy Mohamad shares the sentiment, “I hope it’s not seen as a token appointment.” There’s historical baggage to the nagging doubts. In February 1987, issues on ethnic relationships in Singapore surfaced when Malaysian leaders asked the Members of Parliament why there were so few Malays holding key positions in the SAF. Lee Hsien Loong, then Second Minister for Defence, infamously broadcasted that the SAF did not want its soldiers to be in a position where the loyalty of the soldiers might clash with racial and religious factors. Now you know.

Forget the naysayers, so is our latest BG an ardent reader of military strategy, avid collector of firearms, consummate follower of latest developments in wargaming? Nah, his professed dedication is taking his wife and two daughters to Orchard Road for shopping. His mission, BG Ishak claims, is to have quality time with his family: “I have never made the SAF an excuse for my family to be sidelined.” General Patton must be rolling in his grave.

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