KUALA LUMPUR: The National Veteran Council (NVC) meeting held 29th Sept. 2022 had discussed among others five demands of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Veterans in which two had been implemented namely the upgrading of issued pensions and an advisory panel to consider the applications of former army personnel to be recognised as MAF Veteran.
Senior Minister of Defence, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said, the study on three other demands have been completed at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) level and extended to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Civil Service Department (CSD) for approval.
Hishammuddin added, this includes the Allowance for the “Pingat Jasa Malaysia” (PJM) Holders, Increment in Cost of Living Aid to B40 MAF Veterans and Pension Adjustments.
“However I acknowledge these three issues especially the PJM Allowance and the Pension Adjustments are very challenging and complex and as such MINDEF alone could not decide on it.
“This is because it involves a big financial implication and needs the consideration of the Ministry of Finance and other agencies. For that I will be cooperating closely with the Director General of Civil Services (DGCS) and the Minister of Finance (MOF) while the other leaderships in MINDEF will cooperate with MOF and JPA in order to reach a reasonable decision,” Hishammuddin said in a statement.
He said, to move forward and strengthens the efforts, he has suggested to invite the Minister of Finance and DGCS to be permanent members of NVC.
Hishammuddin added this is an effort to give space to MOF and JPA to understand the issue in depth and the need of MINDEF to plan regarding the Veterans.
The Senior Minister said, the meeting had also introduced the new Director General of Veteran Affairs Department (JHEV) Major General Zambery@Jefry Darus.
There are 300,000 MAF Veterans including 100,000 with pensions, 80,000 without pensions, and 30,000 with issued pensions. There are 121 Veteran Associations at the principle level and 381 at branch levels. –Malaysia World News
