Govt to look into increasing funding for Perhebat
SUNGAI BULOH: The Government will study the suggestion to increase funding for the organisation that helps former soldiers acquire new job skills, says Mohamad Sabu.
“The country is going through a difficult time financially right now but I will check from time to time to see if we can increase the allocation,” he said after attending the 51st convocation of Perhebat (Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation) at the military camp here.
The Defence Minister said he is aware that Perhebat is vital to the armed forces community as a platform to provide job skills training to former servicemen when they return to civilian life.
He said this in response to a plea by Perhebat president Lt-Jen Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Ibrahim during his speech at the event.
Annual funding for Perhebat was reduced from RM32mil to RM27mil about two years ago, causing it to find ways to cut costs, he said.
“In our carpentry course, instead of fullsized chairs, our students are forced to make miniature-sized chairs because we can’t afford the materials.
“We hope the Government will increase the funding and help look after the welfare of these soldiers who have sacrificed so much for us,” he added.
Also present at the convocation was Armed Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin.
A total of 713 ex-servicemen graduated yesterday with certificates from various courses like carpentry, cooking and automotive repair that lasted between three and 18 months.
Set up in 1994, Perhebat offers training in various disciplines such as automotive engineering, tourism and hotel management as well as food and catering services.