KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- Non-Malays only make up 15.3 percent or 17,521 of the whole strength of the armed forces, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamid told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Although their participation in the armed forces was still lacking, the situation was improving lately, Ahmad Zahid said in his written reply to Liew Chin Tong (DAP-Bukit Bendera).

Liew wanted to know the number of non-Malays in the forces and whether there was a study carried out to identify the reasons for the figure.

Ahmad Zahid said studies showed that the group was less keen to join the forces because of the high degree of discipline needed, the rigid nature of the job and the need to prepare to sacrifice times and lives.

He said the ministry would continue to promote the profession among the non-Malays by carrying out career day in institutions of higher learning, carrying out joint promotions with state public services and taking up advertisements in Chinese and Tamil newspapers.