CONSIDER A CAREER IN THE ARMED FORCES - MALAYSIAN PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called on the young generation to consider joining the armed forces,saying the country needs them to ensure continuity in the nation's defence arena.

Speaking at the armed forces' career fair here, Abdullah, who is the defence
minister, said he hoped that the event would be able to attract the young to
join the forces.

"One of the objectives of this event is to change the mindset of the
people... that there are more to the armed forces than parade grounds or going
to the war," he said when launching the career fair here today.

He said there were numerous career opportunities in the armed forces which
required professional expertise similar to other fields such as engineering,
medical, legal and education.

"I also hope that members of the public will take advantage of this career
fair to deepen their knowledge about the armed forces, their success as well as
the ability to face future challenges," he said.

He also hoped that the event would open the minds of the young, especially
school leavers or graduates of higher learning institutions, to consider a
career with the armed forces.

The prime minister also said that the nation was proud of the sacrifice of
the armed forces.

He said the Malaysian armed forces were also involved in peace-keeping
missions abroad and had proven to be as capable and credible as those from the
developed nations.
-- BERNAMA