Tawau entrepreneurs contribute RM500,000 to Warriors’ Fund
TAWAU: A total of RM500,000 for the Warriors’ Fund was collected from local business entrepreneurs who contributed generously to the fund campaign on Sunday night.
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said although the main responsibility of safeguarding the welfare of former armies lies in the hands of the government, the people in general have to contribute towards improving the welfare of the country’s heroes.
Mohamad Sabu said thanks to the efforts of security forces, troops, police and other bodies, the peace and security of this area had been restored. Traders could do business well and tourists had returned to Sabah.
Therefore, he said for this success we have to appreciate military and former personnel.
Mohamad Sabu said the initiative for the establishment of the Fund between the Malaysian Armed Forces Veteran Association and the ministry at the end of July was started by the Prime Minister’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali to open up opportunities for the people, especially traders to contribute.
To this day, he said the Warriors’ Fund had received encouraging contributions from various parties. In the budget recently, the allocation for veterans had also been increased by RM20 million over the previous year. All these contributions would be used to help the national heroes, especially servicemen who have completed their service.
He said when they serve, the government takes care of their welfare. When they have retired, it is the responsibility of the government and the people in general to equally take care of their welfare.
Mat Sabu said while the threat of war between countries is no longer going on, the country is faced with a new form of non-traditional threat. Several years ago, Lahad Datu’s experienced a terrorist attack that disrupted national security.
He said if the defense forces failed to contain the attack, not just Lahad Datu and the surrounding areas, even the entire security of the region would be hit. Similarly, the incidents of kidnapping on the islands in Malaysia and the Philippines are affecting the country’s security and sovereignty.
“We have seen the effects of the attacks that are not solely in military terms, but have a devastating effect on the local economy. Investors and foreign tourists leave the country and dare not come to Sabah. Traders are experiencing a decline in their business and indirectly threatens the income of tens of thousands of workers. This is what we are concerned about,” he said.
During the ceremony, he expressed his gratitude to 516 Territorial Army Regiment comander Brigadier General Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah for hosting and organizing the Warriors’ Fund Dinner as well as the contributors from the Tawau community.
He said this initiative was highly appreciated and hopefully it would encourage other parties to donate to the Warriors’ Fund.
The contributors for the Warriors’ Fund during the ceremony were Persatuan Gabungan Cina Tawau (RM270,00), Datuk Peter Lim (RM100,000), Lim Teck Kiong (RM100,000) and Datuk Hong Ngit Ming (Teck Guan Group) RM30,000).
Also present were Defense Training Operations assistant staff chief Major General Datuk Tengku Muhamad Fauzi Ibrahim, ESSCom 13th Brigade Commander Brigadier General Datuk Arman Rumaizi bin Ahmad, Tawau Municipal Council president Alijus Sipil and Malaysian Armed Forces Veteran Association president Captain (R) Datuk Haji Sharuddin Haji Omar.