A group of veterans from the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) has embarked on a march spanning approximately 254km from Ipoh to Putrajaya to voice their dissatisfaction over military welfare issues.
The People’s Patriotic Voice Organisation (PSPRM) spokesperson Nong Abd Karim told Malaysiakini that the group began walking on Sunday from their starting point in Simpang Pulai, Perak, heading to the Prime Minister’s Office at Putra Perdana.
Their journey comprised five phases, he said, with four already completed.
“In phase one, they rested in a mosque in Kampar, and spent the night at a homestay in Sungkai.
“Phase two from Sungkai to Tanjung Malim, they were visited by other veterans and received donations.
“Phase three from Tanjung Malim to Templer Park was completed with the extra participation of some veterans’ wives who joined them for that leg. Participants stayed at a homestay in Batu 16 Rawang and were served with dinner and given hampers by Taman Templer assemblyperson Sani Hamzan,” he added.
According to Nong, phase four of the journey would be completed today, as the group is expected to arrive in Putrajaya.
“We have passed the Sungai Besi toll, we will arrive at 2pm and rest at a Dengkil resthouse,” he said.
Tomorrow, the military veterans will march to the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya from around 8.30am to 9am to submit a memorandum.
Pension, amnesty
Among the group’s demands is to revise the pension of retired soldiers, as well as provide pension to veterans after they have served the armed forces for at least 10 years.
Under the current policy, only those who served for a minimum of 21 years are entitled to a monthly pension.
The group also demanded that the government expedite amnesty for former soldiers who were dismissed for disciplinary reasons.
Last June, hundreds of veterans rallied in front of the National Monument in Kuala Lumpur, calling on the government to review the military pensions system.
Following that, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim urged Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to look into the plight of military veterans.
On Aug 3, the Defence Ministry established a panel to consider applications of former soldiers to be registered as armed forces veterans.
Hishammuddin had said that the establishment of the MAF Veteran Recognition Advisory Panel was a tribute to former soldiers who fought to defend the peace of their homeland.
On Sept 9, the minister announced that his ministry forwarded a proposal to approve an increase in their living allowance to the Finance Ministry.
This is for non-pensionable MAF veterans under the B40 category to raise their allowances from RM300 per month to RM400 per month. - Mkini
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