Since Malay Mail first published the plight of Capt Mukhtiar Singh, the newspaper has been inundated with numerous phone calls, email and letters from readers on the issue.
The well-wishers, comprising retired servicemen and civilians from all races and backgrounds, offered words of encouragement to the veteran soldier and also called on the authorities, in particular the Ministry of Defence and Pensions Department, to recognise the role Mukhtiar played in safeguarding the country from the Communists during the Emergency. Here are excerpts from their comments: “I read your report ‘Mission to get Mukhtiar’s Pension’ (Malay Mail, Oct 17) and feel very sorry for this old warrior.
I'd like to thank your paper for highlighting the plight of this courageous captain and hope the authorities will wake up and take immediate action to grant him his pension, which would probably amount to only a few hundred ringgit a month, anyway. Let us be a nation that takes pride in our heroes, let's not make them beg for what is rightfully theirs.”
— Cheam Hang Bang
“I read the story about Capt Mukthiar Singh and am appalled by the shoddy treatment given to this courageous old soldier. It’s a shame that we treat our heroes the way we do. I applaud the achievements of our world class sportsmen and women who bring glory to our nation and do not begrudge the monetary rewards and titles bestowed on them.
“A sportsman who sacrifices a few good years of his life gets a Datukship and a pension of RM5,000 a month for life. Yet, a decorated hero who spends a lifetime in the service of the nation by putting his life on line everyday gets nothing. Where is the justice? I support the noble efforts of Lt-Col Idris Hassan in helping this hero fight for his pension.” — Ng Chee Heng
“I regard myself as a true blue Malaysian who takes great pride in our nation’s achievements. I was among the thousands in Stadium Negara that fateful night in 1992, weeping tears of joy when Malaysia lifted the Thomas Cup after a 25-year wait. I was among the many who cheered while rooted to their TV sets as Dr Sheikh Muszaphar became the first Malaysian in space. And when Malaysia celebrated its 50th year as an independent nation, there were few prouder than I was. “Yet, I must confess that I was enveloped by a deep sense of shame upon reading the story of Capt Mukhtiar Singh and how he was denied his serviceman’s pension for more than 30 years due to an administrative oversight. If there ever was a true patriot, this man is it and yet, he has been denied what is rightfully his — a means to provide for his family.
To those in charge at the Veteran Affairs Department of the Ministry of Defence, I have only three words: shame on you!”
— Abdul Naim Ibrahim
“We talk of the need to instil in our children the spirit of national unity, the responsibility of caring for our elders, the aged and the infirm. Over the years, we have spent millions of ringgit on campaigns and commercials to promote such values. But when life presents us with an opportunity to correct a wrong, we unfortunately choose to ignore it completely. Capt Mukhtiar Singh is a national hero and yet, we would probably have never even heard of him had Malay Mail not championed his case. Mukhtiar should be lauded for his bravery and be made a shining example for our youth every Merdeka Day on what it means to be a true patriot. Yet, his payment for gallantry has been to be denied of his pension. And still we wonder why the youth of today lack nationalism. Well, I ask the people at the Ministry of Defence — just what sort of example are we setting for them?” — P. Rabindranath
The Malay Mail 
