Veterans can look forward to more perks in the future

PETALING JAYA: Veteran armed forces personnel and their families can expect more initiatives to improve their welfare in addition to the six launched by the Prime Minister, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

“The announcement is a continuing effort by the Government and the Defence Ministry. More initiatives will be announced from time to time.

“In the near future, we will announce housing, medical and health, education and training initiatives,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said the Defence Ministry was in the final process of evaluating these future initiatives.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced several schemes, including Skim Anuiti Veteran ATM, Bantuan Bakti Negara (BBN) and an increase in special incentives under the Disability Pension Scheme for veterans, on Monday.

Hishammuddin said the Government considered various factors, and collected feedback before implementing these schemes.

He said Bantuan Bakti Negara would cost the Government RM85mil a year.

He said the Defence Ministry has introduced several welfare programmes over the past four years, including the 1Malaysia Veteran House Repair Programme, construction of affordable homes, Skim Bantuan Kemasukan ke Universiti Awam for children of veterans and the construction of the Armed Forces Polyclinic, among others.

Hishammuddin also lauded Najib’s call to pay more attention to the welfare of veterans without pension and veterans with disabilities.

“They do not have a fixed income or a monthly pension,” he said.