PATRIOT strongly rejects bullying in any form and in any organisation, association, institution or group. Bullying has no place in society. The tradition or culture as you would like to call it had always been practised in the Malaysian Armed Forces since the beginning of time when the Command and Control passed on from the British Army Command to the Malaysian Army Command. This culture was called RAGGING and NOT BULLYING as it later developed into.

Many veterans today would know the meaning of RAGGING and had accepted the so-called culture with a bit of musing. RAGGING was an instrument with clear defined and refined aims. It was there to enhance and build close comradeship between the Seniors and the Juniors so to speak. It falls upon the Seniors to guide and to educate the Juniors on the traditions and culture of the Armed Forces. The orientation period would normally last for about a month, at the end of which the Juniors would have gained a degree of confidence in their abilities and their respect for the leadership of the Seniors and the Seniors would by then feel satisfied and confident that the Juniors are up to execute their responsibilities in the field quite efficiently. This is what comradeship is all about and it is nurtured and built during this period of RAGGING. The feeling of true bondage between each member to the other is therefore linked and connected at all times. The efficiency and the strength of the Armed Forces depend greatly on the cohesiveness, togetherness and dependability of its members. The RAGGING at the early stages would contribute greatly to this state of readiness.

Bullying on the other hand must be strongly rejected and condemned. It must never be allowed to show its ugly head. Bullying is a very destructive machine and will adversely affect the efforts of the organisation to further enhance its development and progress. It will in fact be the downfall of the organisation itself.

Combatting of a bullying culture rests solely on the shoulders of the enforcing officer who must be firm and uncompromising in the execution of his duties.

He has to always anticipate and closely watch the trend, tendency and identify the culprits and the troublemakers.

Ragging builds whereas Bullying destructs.

Dato Zarazilah Mohd Ali

President

Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan

22 May 2026