Sarawak govt cares for you, ATM retirees assured
KAPIT: Members of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association ( PVATM) here are assured of continuous support from the Sarawak government, through the elected representatives from the ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
In stating this, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijangpointsoutthatthegovernment truly recognises the crucial roles played by former members of the Armed Forces (ATM), as well as their sacrifices in protecting country’s sovereignty.
“Now, you are retired but all of you still play an important role when it comes to the wellbeing of society, and also the sharing of your knowledge and experiences with others.
“We will continue to support your activities through PVATM Kapit,” the assemblyman said prior to presenting disability assistance to 17 former ATM members at Meligai Hotel here yesterday.
It is learnt that the majority of the recipients are over 80 years old. All 17 are Jua Langkau, Jalin Maragan, Ladong Sebut, Siang Gada, Lumpoh Berandah, John Rima, Mohd Kamel, Luat Insong, Mohd Tahir, Nyawai Nyabong, Riba Medang, Lingga Japang, Das Kumbang, Imbang Sanggau, Ingu Nyantau, Gani Dugu and Serang Imbai – each of them received RM500 from the ATM Veterans Department.
In response to an appeal for funds to run PVATM Kapit activities going forward, Nyabong suggested the association hold a fund-raising jogathon next year.
“Organise this event nicely. Appoint a patron and an advisor to assist,” he advised.
Later, Nyabong announced an allocation of RM10,000 from his minor rural project ( MRP) grant to PVATM Kapit.
Earlier in his remarks, PVATM Kapit chairman Matin Bilun appealed to elected people’s representatives to ‘kindly support the association’.
“Kapit is a rural area. Our members are living far apart from one another, in longhouses scattered across the ‘ulu’ (interior areas). Telecommunications are lagging – some longhouses don’t even have telephones, let alone Internet connectivity.
“In view of such challenging logistics, PVATM Kapit has hired a full-time clerk Usa Dana, whose main duty is to attend to members coming to our office on the first floor of ‘Gelanggang Kenyalang’ ( building) here. He (Usa) only receives an ‘honourable allowance’ of RM500 per month,” he said.
According to Matin, PVATM Kapit has a piece of land at Jalan Bukit Goram, which was bought in the 1990s to develop housing projects for its 270 members.
It is estimated that the earthfilling and levelling would cost RM1.1 million.
“Previously, we bulldozed some parts of it (the land), but could not finish the work due to insufficient fund. It is our hope for the ‘ YBs’ ( elected representatives) to put forward our request to Sarawak government, for help in the earthworks and the development of other infrastructures.
“Many of our members are old – they need to stay near Kapit town for a more convenient access to health and medical care,” said Matin, who also requested the Kapit Resident’s Office to allocate a vacant site here for PVATM Kapit to carry out its social activities.
Additionally, he said PVATM Kapit would present a compassionate aid of RM100 to the family of any of its members who passed away. Moreover, the main PVATM body would top up the amount with another RM3,000.