LIFE as a civilian is not what many retired military men had bargained for, after faithfully serving the country in uniform for years.

Several armed forces veterans who spoke to The Malaysian Insight said their pensions were barely enough, and they had to juggle menial jobs to make ends meet, despite having served in uniform for two decades or more.

They alleged that the government did not pay them much attention once they retired.

Thor Kong Beng retired from the army as a major in 1996 after 21 years of service. He was 39 years old then.

He joined a private company, but was told to retire when he reached the age of 55.

“I joined the logistics line, became a security guard and then a Grab driver. I quit Grab because it took too much of my time and I did not earn a lot,” said Thor, who has to pay his bedridden mother’s medical bills.

He gets RM1,800 a month as pension, but said the rising cost of living rendered it insufficient.

“My wife works as a kindergarten teacher. She is 57.

“If she doesn’t work, it would be difficult for us to pay the bills,” said the 61-year-old.

The couple have a daughter, who has married and moved out.

He said he hoped that the government would provide more to veterans.

“I served the nation, so I expect to get due recognition,” he said, adding that he had served under difficult conditions in the jungle.

“A lot of veterans are jobless, and they (government-linked companies) can employ these people. They (veterans) can still serve the country.”

Recently, National Patriots Association president brigadier general (rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said the government should allocate 10% of jobs in GLCs for veterans aged 60 and below.

He said the initiative would enable veterans to have a better life after retirement.

Another veteran, Amir Hasan Mohamad Kasim, 61, said he did not know who to turn to when he retired as a captain.

He took on a job as a taxi driver, drove a garbage truck and worked as a security guard before calling it a day.

“I had to put four of my children through school, so I did all kinds of jobs. They are all married and have their own families now.”

He retired at 35 after serving in the armed forces for 16 years.

Amir does not qualify for a pension because he did not serve the required 21 years.

“Thankfully, I have friends who understand my situation and provide help.”

Shahawarudin Ismail, 75, said the pension he got after retiring from the army as a sergeant was not sufficient, as military pay during his day was a lot lower than it is now.

He became a lorry driver when he retired at 40 in 1983, after serving for 22 years.

“A lot of veterans are unable to secure proper jobs, even after they retired early. I’m very disappointed.

“A sergeant now would get a salary of at least RM3,000, so their pension would be higher.

“My salary was much lower than that. There is a 2% increment for those who have retired, but it’s not enough,” he said, adding that it was unfair of the government to leave veterans to fend for themselves.

Patriots’ public relations director, captain (rtd) Dr Wong Ang Peng, said the group hoped to work with the government to ensure that veterans were employed in GLCs as they were struggling to make ends meet.

“When you talk about retired officers struggling, retired enlisted men struggle even more. Former policemen, too.

“Some of them retire before hitting the age of 45, so they should be given employment.”

Wong joined the army in 1975, and retired in 1986.

He said some veterans now relied solely on the 1Malaysia People’s Aid, and that it was insufficient.

“We (Patriots) know (the struggle) because we are with them.

“We always hear their grievances, their complaints, so that is why we are voicing out for them.” – February 16, 2018.