Veterans’ affairs department to file complaint against 2 groups over cyberbullying

 

The veterans’ affairs department will file a complaint with the communications ministry and the Registrar of Societies. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The veterans’ affairs department (JHEV) will file a complaint with the communications ministry and the Registrar of Societies over “cyberbullying” by two groups, its director-general Semaon Marjuki said.

In a statement, JHEV said the two veteran groups, Pertubuhan Pembela Pejuang Malaysia and Pertubuhan Suara Patriotik Rakyat Malaysia, had slandered both the department and Semaon on Facebook after it refused to meet the two groups a few days ago over the pension adjustment.

The department also claimed the two groups had incited hatred against JHEV and Semaon.

“They have also smeared the credibility of the director-general and the department’s personnel.”

On Monday, about 30 former servicemen gathered at its office to seek an explanation over the way pensions are calculated.

One of them, Rafique Ali Ahmad Nordin, 65, claimed that most of them did not receive the promised 8% increase in pensions.

On Nov 7, defence minister Khaled Nordin announced that armed forces veterans who retired before January 2013 would receive the first phase of an 8% pension adjustment in December, based on their final salary in 2012.

On Saturday, FMT reported that JHEV was at loggerheads with an NGO comprising former servicemen over a planned protest involving unresolved pension issues.

In a letter to Bukit Aman, JHEV urged police to stop the gathering on Dec 23.

Semaon said Pertubuhan Pembela Pejuang Malaysia, had no locus standi to stage the protest as it was not registered with the department as a body representing former armed forces personnel. - FMT