KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — The Ministry of Defence has always paid attention to the welfare of Armed Forces veterans, whether pensioners or non-pensioners and especially those living below the poverty line, by providing various facilities to help the group.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said among the aid provided is the cost of living assistance of RM300 per month via the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) Veteran Affairs Department (JHEV ATM).
Currently, 18,786 people have enjoyed the benefit involving a RM67.6 million expenditure.
“In addition, death benefits are also provided to members and their dependents, namely, RM3,000 for the veterans and RM1,500 for their next-of-kin. So far, RM455,000 has been paid out,” he said during the oral answer session at the Dewan Rakyat.
Adly was responding to Segamat MP R. Yuneswaran, who queried about the scope of empowerment being implemented for the welfare and sustainability of Armed Forces veterans in line with the re-evaluation of this group through the Civil Service Retirement Scheme.
The ministry has also allocated RM103 million for medical treatment, medication, and equipment purchase for the group.
He said in terms of housing assistance for veterans, three initiatives introduced include the construction of 40 houses, repairs and upgrade of 170 houses, and the One Member One House (SASaR) scheme.
In the meantime, the ministry plans to set up a JHEV committee in each state to meet the needs of over 213,000 veterans.
“We are aware that we have insufficient staff to oversee the affairs of the Armed Forces veterans, so we plan to have a JHEV committee in each state instead of a committee overseeing two states.
“As such, the ministry is also working to increase the number of staff through the MySTEP programme, which will involve veterans and veteran associations,” Adly said.
He was responding to Ketereh MP Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor on the ministry’s plans to increase the number of JHEV staff at the state level.
— Bernama
