It has been reported that about 5,000 to 6,300 armed forces personnel conclude their service every year, with 75 percent of them aged between 33 and 42 – a highly productive and capable age group.
Considering that they have dedicated at least 15 years of their lives to safeguarding the security and sovereignty of the nation, it is only fair they are given the support and skills to continue their lives in a manner befitting their sacrifices.
The Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (Perhebat), established in 1994, plays a proactive role in connecting military veterans with second-career opportunities and ensuring their socioeconomic well-being after they transition to civilian life.
Thanks to the corporation’s skills development programmes and guidance, most armed forces veterans today are able to sustain their livelihoods in an organised and confident manner.
Bernama spoke to three ex-servicemen residing in Perak who are now operating their own successful businesses.
FROM AIR FORCE TO LAUNDRY SHOP
After dedicating 26 years of his life to serving in the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), former Air Warrant Officer 1 Mohd Rizal Mohd Rajab is now running a shop in Chemor here offering laundry services.
His shop Loadmaster Laundry provides ironing, dry cleaning and aqua wash services, and also cleaning services for mattresses, surau and mosque carpets, sofas, car seats and all types of uniforms.
Armed with the discipline and resilience instilled into him by the armed forces, as well as the training provided by Perhebat, the 50-year-old entrepreneur faced great challenges when he first ventured into the business.
“When I set out to open my laundry shop in 2020, the nation was hit by COVID-19 and the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enforced. It was definitely challenging. Firstly, many government agencies were closed, and secondly, finding a suitable shop was tough.
“However, during the MCO, there were brief periods when government offices reopened. That’s when I managed to sort out all the necessary matters. At that time, laundry services were (among the businesses) allowed to operate while laundrettes (where people pay to use a machine to wash and dry their clothes) were not permitted,” he told Bernama during a recent interview at his premises.
Asked how he became interested in the laundry business, the father-of-four said his late mother instilled in him the importance of cleanliness and doing household chores from a young age to set an example for his younger siblings.
“Before retiring, I revisited my skills and interests. That’s when I realised this (laundry cleaning) was something I could do. When I saw that Perhebat offered courses in laundry, I immediately chose to train in that field.”
Originally from Endau, Johor, Mohd Rizal underwent an 18-month course at the Perhebat complex in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, covering all aspects of laundry business management, before his retirement.
He said he was also grateful he was extended a RM5,000 grant by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, under its Rural Entrepreneurship Support and Empowerment Scheme, in 2023.
“I used the funds to upgrade the equipment at my laundry shop,” he said, expressing his gratitude to Perhebat Ipoh for their extensive support in helping him manage his business.
According to Mohd Rizal, Perhebat has also made his shop a model and reference point for RMAF personnel preparing for retirement.
Meanwhile, asked why he named his shop Loadmaster Laundry, he explained: “The term ‘loadmaster’ is linked to my role in the RMAF. I served as a loadmaster in the Air Quartermaster Unit, the crew stationed at the rear of a cargo aircraft. Loadmasters handle almost everything.”
LEARN FROM SCRATCH
Unlike Mohd Rizal, who had a clear direction after retirement, Hasrul Affendi Norizan, 44, who served 21 years in the Malaysian Army as a member of the Ranger Regiment, found himself searching for a field that suited him.
“I only started thinking about starting a business related to carpentry during the last six months before retiring,” he said, adding today he has no regrets venturing into furniture making.
He said he attended a six-month course conducted by Perhebat where he, from zero knowledge in carpentry, learned to make sketches and, eventually, how to cut wood.
The owner of Nadi Furniture Interior Design said before officially starting his business, he experimented by building a kitchen cabinet for his home in 2021.
“I asked my family if the cabinet I made was okay. They gave positive feedback. Then, in 2022, my younger sister asked me to make a TV cabinet for her home. Initially, I was hesitant because it involved payment. After discussing it with my wife, I gathered the courage and accepted the order,” he said.
Then, he began receiving orders from others who admired his workmanship.
“However, every business has its risks. In 2023, I went through a three-month period without any projects. That’s also why, for now, I don’t employ permanent workers,” he said, admitting that he is still learning the ropes in the field.
Hasrul Affendi, who also received the RM5,000 grant from the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, utilised the money to purchase a second table saw to improve his work efficiency.
When asked about his future plans, the father-of-four expressed his desire to enhance his skills to grow his business further.
“Currently, I only make wooden cabinets. I want to learn how to make aluminium cabinets as well as they are becoming more popular due to their durability.
“I haven’t been exposed to the methods of using aluminium in furniture-making. If Perhebat organises such a course, I’ll definitely apply (to participate),” he said, adding for now, he relies heavily on YouTube videos to improve his skills.
Those interested in ordering customised furniture can do so via ngkipoh.myshopmatif.com or TikTok @eddy_n.k.g or call 011-37421360.
TWO DECADES IN BUSINESS
For Ismail Yaacob, 59, who retired in January 2006 after serving in the Malaysian Army’s Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps for 22 years, venturing into the bicycle repair business nearly two decades ago has been a decision he does not regret.
“Initially, my plan was to open a mini-market, so in the six months leading to my retirement, I joined a retail course offered by Perhebat.
“However, during that period, someone came to promote bicycles, sparking my interest in the bicycle business. Moreover, unlike a grocery store which comes with risks like expired goods and unsold items, the main concern in the bicycle business is just the lack of customers,” he said.
He admitted that before entering the bicycle repair field, he had no knowledge of bicycles, let alone how to fix them.
“I later attended an external course through Perhebat in Kemaman, Terengganu, for two weeks. There, I learned everything about bicycles,” he said, adding that armed with this knowledge, he began his business repairing and selling bicycles.
“Even now, it’s not easy to find ordinary bicycle shops. Most of them cater to high-end bicycles. I, on the other hand, focus on children’s bicycles, priced between RM100 and RM400,” he explained, noting that the business is also “seasonal”.
Ismail said he would usually receive an influx of bicycles for repair just before the school holidays begin.
“During this period, I get really busy managing repairs and attending to customers,” he said.
Most of his customers come from areas around Ipoh and Sungai Siput.
His shop, Kedai Basikal Ismail, is located in Taman Klebang Putra here and operates daily except on Sundays and public holidays.
For inquiries about repairs or bicycle parts, Ismail can be reached at 019-2385770.
