Efforts to provide second career for ATM veterans continue - Hishammuddin

Focus

By KOUSALYA SELVAM

21 May 2022 01:21pm

Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein - SINAR HARIAN / MOHD HALIM ABDUL WAHID

PUTRAJAYA -The Defence Ministry wishes to continue its efforts in providing a second career for the Malaysian Armed Forces' (ATM) veterans.

Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the ministry would allocate shop lots for the army veterans at residential units under the One Officer One Home (SASaR) programme.

“The effort continues until the grassroots level. Yesterday, in Sungai Besi there were 3,500 residential units under SASar and as for the shop lots in the area, I have requested those in charge to prioritise the veterans and actually all the shop lots (under the programme) will be given to our veterans.

"Next, we are considering to continue the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project. So all of these will eventually provide a second job opportunity for them,” he said at a press conference after the celebration of the ATM veterans’ 100th anniversary at Dataran Pahlawan Negara, here, today.

Hishammuddin also said new initiative to address the welfare of the ATM veterans will be announced soon.

"I am waiting for the right time to announce it since this involves other ministries and departments under the Defence Ministry.

“It is being discussed, but I guarantee that whatever we can complete, we will just announce it in the near future,” he said.

Hishammuddin also expressed his utmost gratitude to the ATM veterans for their sacrifices and dedication for the country.

He said the ministry would always maintain the good name of the army veterans and to ensure the army’s value and integrity.

"I hope that the position of our veterans' associations are defended, not only based on money and current issues, but on the values of the struggle which is synonymous with our former ATM members." he said.

During the event, over 1,000 ATM veterans were present.

Also present were Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Veterans Association president Captain (Rtd) Datuk Shahruddin Omar as well as representatives from the Veterans Confederation of Asean Countries.