Mohamad Sabu confident Anwar will settle veterans issues when he becomes PM
PORT DICKSON: Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said he is confident that PKR presidentelect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will do his best to resolve issues close to the hearts of military veterans when he becomes prime minister.
“I am confident veterans will be better off with increase in government revenue which we are working towards so that Malaysia returns to its glory days,” he said at the Pingat Jasa Malaysia awards ceremony for the 22nd Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment veterans for the Port Dickson zone here yesterday.
Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for the Port Dickson by- election, was also present at the event.
Mohamad, more fondly known as Mat Sabu, also reiterated that the government was committed to helping veterans as they had sacrificed much for the nation.
However, he expressed disappointment that welfare funds for military personnel and veterans did not get good response.
“Military personnel and veterans have made huge sacrifices so that people can live in peace and business people can go about doing their businesses and make profits.
“The sacrifices of these warriors are not only for the Ministry of Defence or people who have interests in the ministry, but to ensure peace because only then can people conduct businesses and spur the nation’s economy forward.
“That is why I will never get tired of saying and will continue to stress that the responsibility to look after the veterans falls on all Malaysians including tycoons,” he said.
Met by reporters afterwards, Mohamad said hisministrywould revive the Veterans Council which has not held a meeting in the past four years to look after more than 300,000 pensionable
and non-pensionable veterans.
The Port Dickson by- election on Oct 13 is seeing a seven cornered fight.
Anwar is facing a candidate from PAS and five independents including heavyweight Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, a former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar and a former Umno warlord. — Bernama