KUALA LUMPUR: Some 202,675 former soldiers nationwide do not receive pension as they left the service earlier than specified, Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said despite this, their welfare are looked into by the Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV) and the Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen’s Affairs Corporation (Perhebat).
He said JHEV and Perhebat provide various forms of aid to soldiers who retired after serving less than 21 years.
They include aid to offset the cost of living, entry of students into institutions of higher learning, schools, disaster relief and medical expenses.
“The government has no plans to give monthly food coupons to former soldiers who don’t get pension. What we are giving is better over the long run unlike food coupons which are temporary,” he said when replying to a question by Datuk Johari Abdul (PKR-Sungai Petani).
Zahid said various forms of government aid given to former soldiers in this country was far better when compared to those given by some countries.
“By comparison, the United States and Australia only provide aid for former soldiers and not his wife or children,” he said when replying to a supplementary question by Datuk Ahmad Hamzah (BN-Jasin).
The government has no plans to give lump sum payment to former soldiers for their contribution and sacrifices as it is a temporary measure.
The minister also warned groups not to incite former soldiers into pressuring the government.
“I see dirty hands in this hall. Don’t take advantage of the general election to coax former soldiers to become dissatisfied with the government,” he added. — Bernama