Malaysia Defense Minister addresses veteran pension and welfare

Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has urged stakeholders to avoid politicizing the pension adjustment issue for Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) veterans. He emphasized that the Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) is committed to the welfare of veterans but must adhere to legal principles and Court of Appeal rulings rather than political sentiment.

During the 100th Annual General Meeting of the ATM Veterans Association (PVATM), Khaled announced that a proposal to establish an official Veterans Day will be presented to the Cabinet. This initiative aims to formally recognize the sacrifices of retirees and strengthen ties between veterans and the community.

To support veteran welfare, the allocation for the ATM Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV ATM) has been increased to RM304 million in the 2027 Budget. Additionally, the government is working to ensure defense industry companies provide employment opportunities for veterans to utilize their expertise. The Tabung Pahlawan collections have also seen a significant increase, reaching RM4.5 million, nearing the RM5 million target.