Farian Choe has been trying hard to convince readers that the government needs to buy the expensive Polish combat tanks, not for attacking Singapore or any other neighbouring countries, but only for "peace-keeping". He or she is defending the indefensible.

Initially, Somali was cited as an example, but after being told that in situations like Somali, only light-armoured vehicles are needed for policing and self-defence purposes, Farian Choe now projects a Middle Eastern scenario where our armed forces would be assigned to be peace-keeping forces. According to Farian Choe, we therefore need combat tanks to 'frighten' Israelis. It is a very misleading and irresponsible reasoning.

First, peace-keeping forces are normally and usually needed in a situation when and where the most intense armed conflicts are over, or before they commence; in other words, peace-keeping forces are there to keep peace, not to make peace between warring nations and states when they are psychologically, physically, emotionally or emotionally most intense.

If a peace-keeping force brings in highly lethal and offensive weaponry, it is self-defeating because it could generate fear, suspicion and hostility again; therefore, usually and normally, United Nations' peace-keeping forces are only supplied with defensive weapons for policing actions and self-defence.

Second, if there is any occasion for Malaysia participating in UN's peace-keeping mission in the Middle East, we will never be the main forces. It is too far away from the Middle East and it does not have high material stake in the region (except Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's inflated ego).

The main forces will be from European countries organised militarily in Nato and its Quick Reaction Forces (QRF). Malaysia's assignments would most likely be the provisions of Arabic-English translators and interpreters, medical personnel, Islamic affairs advisers and policing actions.

Certainly, it is cheaper and faster to transport and move heavy weaponry like tanks (assuming we need combat tanks for peace-keeping mission) to Middle East from Europe than from Malaysia.

Thus, if the 64 Polish tanks are not for attacking Singapore, and will be useless in any peace-keeping mission, the government should not buy them. The money saved could be used to increase the salaries and allowances of the lower ranks of the military personnel and their families.