Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi last night launched the Aid for Non-Pensionable Veterans (STB1M), a RM1,000 one-off payment for ex-servicemen who had opted for early retirement.
“STB1M will be paid beginning January 2013 and involves RM234.5 million in allocation. The cost will be shared by the government and the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT),” he said at a dinner in conjunction with the 52nd Warriors’ Day celebration in Sibu.
He said 234,500 armed forces veterans who had served less than 21 years and opted for early retirement honorably on or before Dec 31 this year, and regardless of their years of service, would benefit from the aid.
“Those who are entitled for the aid are armed forces permanent personnel, full-time volunteer reserve personnel regardless their years of service, those from Force 136, British veterans who had served in Malaya/Malaysia and Singapore, and the Sarawak Rangers,” he said.
However, he added, this aid which was announced by the government in the 2013 Budget would not be given to the widows, widowers or dependants of these veterans.
He said the eligible recipients could obtain the STB1M forms from all offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs (JHEV), 78 selected one-stop centres nationwide or be downloaded from www.jhev.gov. my, beginning Nov 1.
“All army veterans associations or clubs will be provided with the forms which must be returned to any JHEV office or one-stop centre with supporting documents before Nov 30,” he said.
Meanwhile, RM133,000 was collected from the dinner. The money will be used by the Ex-Royal Malaysian Navy Servicemen’s Association Sarawak Chapter and Armed Forces Veterans Association Sarawak Chapter to purchase a building.
- Bernama
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