An opposition lawmaker and former senior army officer has called for an end to what he described as an inappropriate culture of hand-kissing involving ministers and top leaders of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), arguing that such gestures undermine professional military norms.
Khlir, who previously served in the army, expressed concern over a video from the ceremony that circulated widely and prompted public debate. He said the act of a senior military officer appearing to kiss or bow while greeting a minister sent the wrong message about the relationship between civilian leadership and the armed forces. In his view, while gestures of respect toward parents or elders are culturally acceptable, extending such practices to ministers in an official military setting crosses professional boundaries.
He urged the Ministry of Defence to address the matter and ensure that protocols reflect the dignity and independence of the armed forces, stressing that military leadership should be seen as disciplined, confident, and institutionally neutral rather than deferential in a personal manner.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, who was responding to questions during the session, did not directly address the concern. Instead, he indicated that the point raised did not require a formal answer and could be taken as a general reminder for all parties involved.
The issue also drew comment from government backbencher Aminolhuda Hassan, the MP for Sri Gading. He suggested that whether or not to kiss hands was a personal choice and expressed regret that the matter had escalated into a parliamentary issue, implying that such gestures should not be politicised.
Public discussion had intensified earlier after a photograph from the ceremony showed General Malek Razak greeting the defence minister while appearing to bow his head. The image sparked mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a sign of courtesy and others interpreting it as excessive deference inconsistent with modern civil-military relations.
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