"Peduli Veteran Madani" : Proof Of Defenceministry's Attention For ATM Veterans

TAWAU,  Sept 10 (Bernama) -- The “Peduli Veteran MADAN” (PVM) visit in Tawau and Semporna is proof of the attention given by the Defence Ministry to the welfare of veterans of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), said Deputy Minister Adly Zahari.

He said the visit was not only to see the development of the ATM veterans but also to ensure the aid for them is channelled effectively.

"Apart from saying hello, we also go to their homes, for example in Semporna, we go to the islands, to make sure that the assistance scheme set up for them benefits them.

 "For example, in the housing aspect, we have identified some that need to be repaired, and yesterday, we went to Bum Bum Island, where some of the houses are already repaired," he told reporters at the PVM visit programme here today.

According to Adly, there are 594 ATM veterans, including 174 non-pensioners in Semporna,  while 741 ATM veterans including 258 non-pensioners are in Tawau.

"I think this PVM visit can speed up and improve the service of the Defence Ministry and Department of Veterans Affairs to ATM veterans," he said.

According to Adly, more than 29,000 ATM veterans in the country are receiving the RM300 monthly benefit which is provided under the cost of living aid scheme.

  "The government has increased the allowance by three-fold from RM54 million to RM174 million and as of June 30, a total of 29,331 ATM veterans received the benefit involving RM56 million," he said.

Adly has been here on a three-day working visit to Tawau and Semporna since last Sunday (Sept 8) to meet the sick and ailing ATM veterans during which he also distributed 500 “Rahmah” baskets to local veterans' associations.

He also spent time in Lahad Datu to visit the family of Leading Seaman Class 1 (LK) Arman San Hermansa, a Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) diver, who died during the KD Pendekar salvage operation in the waters of Tanjung Penyusop in Johor.

-- BERNAMA