MIRI: Retired armed forces personnel here are appealing to the federal government and its agencies to provide them information on the relevant welfare and assistance facilities available to them.
Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) Miri branch chairman Nelus Nyelang said members here have yet to receive housing, agriculture and welfare aid compared to their counterparts in the peninsula.
Nelus (front, sixth left) makes a donation to launch the branch’s fundraising campaign.
“There is no proper information for former army personnel on how to apply for work, secure housing assistance and even agricultural land for farming after their retirement,” he told a press conference after launching of PVATM Miri branch’s Warriors Day Appeal cum fundraising campaign, here yesterday.
Present with him were PVATM Miri deputy chairman Saed Firdaus and association members.
Nelus pointed out there are veterans who are either unaware or have not been given any information on such assistance all these years, to the point where some have passed on without having ever received any aid.
Members, he added, are also in the dark as to where they should go to obtain such information, leading them to approach the association which itself has very limited information.
“The relevant ministries and agencies must come down to Sarawak and Sabah to identify the needs of armed forces veterans.
“In Peninsular Malaysia, the majority of veterans are given assistance and recognised for their contribution to the country whereas we here have limited information regarding such aid,” he added.
On the fundraising campaign, Nelus said collection boxes have been placed in restaurants and shopping malls here, whereby the public can donate to help realise the needs of veterans here to have their own building.
Set up in 1980, PVATM Miri currently has 250 registered members.
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Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/11/19/pvatm-miri-wants-more-data-on-aid-for-veterans/