DEFENCE Minister Hishammuddin Hussein must take responsibility in getting the cabinet to approve a pension scheme for military veterans who retired early, P. Ramasamy said today. 

The Penang deputy chief minister also said Hishammuddin should not pass that responsibility to others. 

“Why can’t Hishammuddin raise the matter of the veterans in the cabinet for a special allocation?

“Hishammuddin, by saying that the pension payment to the veterans involves other ministries, was basically saying that he was not responsible. 

“Such an irresponsible attitude from a minister is not acceptable,” said the DAP leader. 

At present, military personnel must serve for 21 years to qualify for pension. Those who retire early are exempted from this benefit.

Earlier this week, a group of veterans held a peaceful assembly urging the government to look into their welfare and to review the pension rates and payments.

Following that, Hishammuddin said the demands raised by the veterans, including those related to pension, involved several other ministries.

He said the issues could not be resolved by the Defence Ministry alone as they had to do with the country’s financial capabilities. 

Hishammuddin, however, promised to continue the agenda of protecting the welfare of the veterans and that their demands would be given due attention. 

Ramasamy said the minister should not be giving excuses but instead resolve their grievances. 

He said the ministry should have a yearly budget not only to buy assets but also to take care of the salaries and other payments to the armed forces personnel, including the veterans. – June 10, 2022.