Special committee to strengthen Perhebat's functions, direction - Adly

SUNGAI BULOH - The Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (Perhebat) will soon set up a special committee in an effort to strengthen its functions and direction.

Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the move was to ensure Perhebat continues to proactively strengthen its curriculum and delivery of training programmes to become the main link in preparing Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) veterans for a second career.

"Among other things, this special committee will work to contact ex-servicemen and collect and update data so that Perhebat can conduct monitoring specifically for the first five years (for MAF veterans who have completed their training at Perhebat)," he said.

Speaking to reporters after presenting the Prior Experiential Learning-RPEL recognition programme and PERHEBAT certificates to Malaysian Armed Forces veterans, Adly said the committee will also help implement upskill and reskill programmes for future MAF retirees.

Meanwhile, Adly said the Defence Ministry will continue to prioritise human capital and socio-economic development initiatives for future retirees and veterans under the Defence White Paper.

"This includes providing transitional training programmes in technical, vocational and entrepreneurial areas as a catalyst for a second career," he said.

According to Adly, as of May 31, a total of 5,252 MAF personnel have chosen the Perhebat Training and Counselling Centre as a place to prepare for retirement.

He said the encouraging response and increased confidence of members in the veteran training and counselling centre have encouraged Perhebat to establish 16 such centres in 10 states. - BERNAMA