DEFENCE Minister Mohamad Sabu said he was confident that PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim would do his best to resolve issues close to the hearts of military veterans when he becomes prime minister.

“I am confident veterans will be better off with increases in government revenue, which we are working towards so that Malaysia returns to its glory days,” he said at the Pingat Jasa Malaysia awards ceremony for the 22nd Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment veterans of the Port Dickson zone in Port Dickson today.

Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for the Port Dickson by-election, was present at the event.

Mohamad, more fondly known as Mat Sabu, also said that the government was committed to helping veterans as they had sacrificed so much for the nation.

However, he expressed disappointment that welfare funds for military personnel and veterans did not get good response.

“Military personnel and veterans have made huge sacrifices so that people can live in peace and business people can go about doing their businesses and make profits.

“The sacrifices of these warriors were not only for the Defence Ministry or people who have interests in the ministry, but to ensure peace because only then can people conduct businesses and spur the nation’s economy forward.

“That is why I will never get tired of saying and will continue to stress that the responsibility to look after the veterans falls on all Malaysians, including tycoons,” he said.

Mat Sabu later said his ministry would revive the Veterans’ Council, which has not held a single meeting in the past four years, to look after more than 300,000 pensionable and non-pensionable veterans.

The Port Dickson by-election on October 13 will see a seven-cornered fight. Anwar is facing a candidate from PAS and five independents, including heavyweight Isa Abdul Samad, who is former Negri Sembilan menteri besar and a former Umno warlord. – Bernama, October 3, 2018.