The Defence Ministry has allocated RM123.92 million under the Cost-of-Living Aid (BSH) programme to support more than 33,000 Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) veterans in need, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari announced. The funding is aimed at addressing various aspects of veteran welfare, including healthcare, housing, education, and economic empowerment.
Adly made the remarks during a visit to the Bukit Katil Series 2 Madani Veteran Care Programme (PVM) held in Taman Bukit Melaka, Bukit Beruang. He emphasized that the visit was intended to ensure that government assistance effectively reached veterans requiring support.
The ATM Veteran Affairs Department (JHEV) was also represented at the event by Deputy Director-General Sophian Isswanddy Ismail and Mejar Muhammad Zarifi Tumin, who directs the JHEV branches for Melaka and Negri Sembilan.
According to a statement from the Defence Ministry, the PVM initiative forms part of ongoing efforts coordinated through ATM JHEV to maintain continuous attention on veterans’ welfare. The programme focuses on delivering targeted and precise assistance to those in need.
During the visit, a total of 14 households were assessed, including seven ailing veterans, six widows, and one child with disabilities. Several types of aid were provided, such as hospital beds, walking frames, and disposable nappies, to improve quality of life for beneficiaries.
The Defence Ministry’s commitment to the welfare of former service members reflects its broader objective to support veterans beyond retirement, ensuring they receive comprehensive care in multiple dimensions including social and economic aspects.