CONTRIBUTORS to the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) can now withdraw their contributions for the purpose of performing the haj pilgrimage and furthering their studies at local public universities from tomorrow.

Senior Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said for contributors intending to make withdrawals for the haj pilgrimage, they will have to produce the offer letter from the Pilgrims’ Fund Board and have contributed to LTAT for at least 15 years.

He said the maximum withdrawal for the haj pilgrimage is RM10,000.

“For education, contributors pursuing diploma, degree, master’s degree or doctor of philosophy studies at local public universities are allowed a maximum withdrawal of RM3,200 to pay the registration fee for the first semester,” he told a press conference after the presentation of Hari Raya Aidilfitri donations to the Defence Ministry in Kuala Lumpur today.

“The withdrawals for the two purposes are only allowed once during their service.”

Apart from that, he said the ministry also agreed to increase the rate of overseas port stopover allowance for Royal Malaysian Navy crew from RM20 to RM50 per day.

Hishammuddin said the Public Service Department has confirmed that the leave replacement benefit (FGCR) given to civil servants will also be extended to members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).

He said the FGCR has also been increased from a maximum of 150 days to 160 days.

They are also able to enjoy an advance payment equivalent to 80 days of leave without having to wait until the end of service,” he said.

Hishammuddin said he has also instructed the Department of Veterans Affairs to expedite the distribution of special financial assistance (BKK) amounting to RM350 to armed forces veterans.

“This is because there are many ATM veterans who commented on social media complaining that they have not received BKK assistance as announced during the tabling of 2022 Budget last year,” he said.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, when tabling 2022 Budget, announced that one million government retirees will receive the BKK amounting to RM350.

Earlier, 77 contributors donated cash and goods amounting to RM1,881,180 to the Defence Ministry.

A total of 15,000 bags containing Hari Raya goodies will be distributed to ATM personnel working at the border in and outside the country, including those serving under the United Nations such as in Mindanao, in the southern Philippines under the International Monitoring Team.

Also present at the event were ATM chief Gen Affendi Buang, army chief Gen Zamrose Mohd Zain, navy chief Admiral Mohd Reza Mohd Sany and air force chief Gen Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan. – Bernama, April 14, 2022.