Despite 25 years of service, RMAF pilot’s pension places him in B40 category

 

Nor Ibrahim Sulaiman (right) with former helicopter pilots at a reunion in 2016.

KUALA LUMPUR: After having given 25 years of his life to the nation, former Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) helicopter pilot Nor Ibrahim Sulaiman, who retired as a major in 1992, is getting a pension of only RM2,682.

Nor Ibrahim, who spent years fighting the communist terrorists in the 1970s and 1980s, and having his Nuri helicopter fired upon, is thus now officially in the B40 category.

In contrast, those who retired with the same rank after 2013 are getting double this amount as pension, an anomaly that is affecting thousands of armed forces personnel.

“I am a recipient of the Pingat Tentera Udara (PTU), which is a federal gallantry award not earned by many RMAF personnel.

Nor Ibrahim Sulaiman.

“I was among those who were fired upon by the communists during the height of the guerrilla warfare. I retired as a major in 1992 after serving 25 years with full dedication,” he told FMT today.

Speaking to Bernama earlier, Nor Ibrahim said the maximum basic salary for the rank of major at that time was RM2,584. His pension was 50% of this, or RM1,292.

From 2013, the government gave a 2% adjustment every year. After 25 years of retirement, he now only gets a pension of RM2,682.

“I really hope the government will resolve this anomaly once and for all and help uplift the morale of thousands of veterans in this plight.”

He said the government should consider this matter seriously as it affects the lives of retirees, badly affected by the sharp rise in the cost of living over the last decade.

The Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) has also called on the government to include three major items in the 2023 budget to help alleviate the hardship faced by former servicemen who have given the best part of their lives to the nation.

Retired RMAF pilot Nor Ibrahim Sulaiman’s pension card.

It wants all recipients of Pingat Jasa Malaysia awards to be given a monthly allowance, an increase in the subsistence allowance for B40 veterans, and pension adjustments to correct the anomaly that has resulted in those retiring before 2013 receiving lower pensions despite being of the same rank.

Association president Sharuddin Omar said the tabling of the budget was highly anticipated by veterans across the country because these three requests concerned their welfare.

“We want this budget to benefit all veterans,” he told Bernama recently. - FMT