The Defence Ministry has established a panel to consider applications of former soldiers to be registered as Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) veterans.
Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the establishment of the MAF Veteran Recognition Advisory Panel was a tribute to former soldiers who fought to defend the peace of their homeland.
“Regarding amnesty for former soldiers dismissed for disciplinary reasons, the MAF Veteran Recognition Advisory Panel was established to reconsider their applications to be registered as MAF veterans.
“Once the application of these former soldiers to be registered as MAF veterans is approved, they are eligible to enjoy various incentives and benefits as other veterans,” he said in a written parliamentary reply today.
Hishamuddin was answering a question from Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Harapan-Setiawangsa), who asked the minister to clarify what steps the government had taken to deal with the demands of the veterans.
Back in June, hundreds of armed forces veterans rallied in front of the National Monument in Kuala Lumpur, calling on the government to review the military pensions system.
One of their demands was for the government to give pensions to those who have not been getting them due to being dishonourably discharged.
A former commando, Mior, who pioneered the air force’s special forces unit Paskau, said there is a provision under the law that allows the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to pardon military officers and personnel who committed wrongdoings.
The group, which called itself Suara Veteran, had several demands, including for the government to increase the pension rate for pre-2013 pensioners and give pensions to those who served the armed forces for fewer than 21 years.
Under the current policy, only those who served for a minimum of 21 years are entitled to a monthly pension. - Mkini
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