RODZALI………… WHY DO YOU WANT TO GIVE UP SG. BESI EASILY?

RMAF Chief Dato Seri Rodzali Daud is reported to have said that the RMAF is ready to vacate the base in Sg. Besi to an alternative site, should a request be made by the government. However, the Defence Minister has denied any such move. Now, who are we to believe?

In the first instant, I think Rodzali does not appreciate history and lacks any knowledge that the RMAF’s birth place is the base in Sg. Besi. He is too young to know this, and hence such foolish thoughts. Just ask his predecessors; the likes of Sulaiman Sujak, Mat Ngah, Ghani Aziz (all are still alive and well), and I am quite sure they will fume in anger. These were the people who virtually grew up in Sg. Besi, and I know they all have a story to tell about the base. And here we have this young Chief who thinks moving out is the better option without appreciating the young history of the RMAF.

Each time I past the base on my route South, I recall the many Herald flights that I use to take to Sabah and Sarawak. I also remembered having to return from Labuan in the 60’s in a RAAF C 130 Hercules flight with my mother awaiting my return. I also remembered seeing the RMAF Chief then, Mat Ngah riding his BMW big bike around the base, and I admired him for his long and curly hair. These are thoughts that come to my mind when I see familiar things, and Sg. Besi air base is one place that I am extremely familiar with. Surely, we do not want Sg. Besi air base to be another Mid Valley, and the congestion that it will create around the area.

I would like to appeal to Rodzali to discard the idea of moving out the Sg. Besi air base to a new location. Moving out will only enriched others, but the RMAF will lose a significant part of its history. And I being a lover of history vehemently despise such a move.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION