KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 15 -- Insults to the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) will not be tolerated, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said today after a prominent tycoon suggested the country's security forces would be more useful taking care of farms.

The Amanah president better known as Mat Sabu said criticism was welcome, but not insults, reminding detractors that the armed forces worked far from the public eye and round the clock to ensure their safety even in peace times, while they slept.

"The truth is, our military has work at all times, even when the nation is peaceful," he said in a statement.

He said the ATM participates in regional defence and diplomatic relations with Malaysia's neighbours, which includes military drills and officer ex...