KAPIT: Members of the Dayak community have been encouraged to join the armed forces.
Hulu Rajang member of parliament Wilson Ugak Kumbong said there are various opportunities for the Dayak community to excel in the armed forces and to be promoted to high ranks.
He cited former Ninth Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier General Datuk Stephen Mundaw — the highest ranking Dayak soldier — as the pride of the Dayak community.
To recognise the important role of Dayak soldiers, he said, many of the veterans were awarded medals for their bravery.
Ugak said the government will always continue to recognise the important contributions of veterans to the country.
“Malaysia enjoys peace, stability and prosperity because the veterans, those military men, risked their lives and sacrificed to defend the country’s integrity and sovereignty during the early day of Malaysia’s independence against the communist insurgency and foreign aggression,” he said during the 22nd Ex-services Association Kapit branch annual general meeting yesterday.
“The government recognises the important role played by the veterans and through the Ministry of Defence established the Veterans Affairs Department to provide for the welfare of the veterans through allowances, children education’s aid, housing, medical care, etc.”
On the association’s request to have their application for land for Kampung Veteran to be approved, Ugak said he would bring the matter up with Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
He also announced an RM15,000 grant for the association to carry out its activities and handed out living allowance aid to four veterans.
Kapit Resident Dahim Nadot presented Pingat Jasa Malaysia to 15 recipients on behalf of the government.
According to association chairman Wilfred Billy Panyau, there are some 1,600 veterans in the Kapit Division and 760 are registered members of the association.