Few jobs post-retirement see non-Bumis shy away from military, says MP

 

The Dewan Negara was told that Malays account for 85.8% of armed forces personnel. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Non-Bumiputeras are not keen on joining the military as there is a lack of job opportunities after they retire from the force, a veteran-turned-politician said.

To attract more non-Bumiputeras, Putrajaya must offer a “second chance” career-wise to veterans, Khlir Nor, a retired major-general, said.

Currently, military personnel have the option to retire after 12, 15 or 18 years of service without getting a pension.

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“When you retire, no one will hire you. And you wouldn’t even know how to run a business,” Khlir, the Ketereh MP, told FMT.

He said a majority of those who struggled to find jobs after retiring were aged between 39 and 45.

“The government should get them to serve as firemen or immigration officers or offer them jobs through the Malaysian Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT),” he said.

Khlir said without assurance of being employed post-retirement, military personnel ranked from privates to warrant officers would have to serve the mandatory 21 years in the armed forces.

Yesterday, defence minister Mohamad Hasan said the armed forces were looking to recruit more non-Bumiputeras.

He told the Dewan Negara that as of March 6, Malays accounted for 85.8% of armed forces personnel, followed by Bumiputeras from Sarawak and Sabah at 7.6% and 4.3%, respectively, Indians (1.4%), Chinese (0.5%) and Orang Asli (0.4%).

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He said the lower participation of non-Bumiputeras could be attributed to the high risk and dangerous nature of the service, strict health standards, low pay and a lack of military exposure.

Khlir said vocational skills training offered to armed forces personnel just before they retire was “nothing much”.

“The courses are six months to a year. What can you learn? People want to work and earn an income,” he said.

He proposed that the government make it compulsory for armed forces personnel to serve for 25 years in order to qualify for pension. In 2021, the defence ministry had proposed 21 years.

Such a policy would ensure they would be able to receive a pension of 60% of their salary, he said. - FMT