Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announces an additional RM2 million for Warriors’ Day in recognition of Malaysian Armed Forces veterans’ sacrifices.
PORT DICKSON: The government has approved an additional allocation of RM2 million in conjunction with this year’s Warriors’ Day celebration, in recognition of the sacrifices and services of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) veterans in defending the nation’s sovereignty, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the additional allocation is given due to the good management record, compared to the normal allocation of RM1 million to RM1.5 million that has been disbursed annually.
“The government usually gives RM1 million, and the highest is RM1.5 million, for Warriors’ Day. So, for this year, due to its good management record, I have asked the Finance Ministry, in conjunction with the Warriors’ Day, to give an additional RM2 million,” he said during the Semarak Kenegaraan programme at the Army Basic Training Centre (PUSASDA) here today.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman and Army chief General Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman.
The Warriors’ Day is celebrated on July 31 every year to commemorate the struggle and sacrifices of national security personnel for the prosperity and sovereignty of the country and is organised on a rotating basis between the MAF and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) since 1968.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the welfare of veterans and military personnel is the government’s priority, in line with their great contributions as pillars of the country’s stability and peace.
To ensure the welfare of MAF personnel is safeguarded, the Prime Minister said that an existing budget allocation of RM844 million has been approved for housing services this year to repair and develop Armed Forces Family Housing (RKAT).
He said it encompasses various new housing projects and infrastructure repairs at military camps, including projects involving 1,300 new housing units at the Syed Sirajuddin Camp in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan.
Anwar said the government is also providing school maintenance allocation totalling RM3 million for schools in Negeri Sembilan, including Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungala and Sekolah Kebangsaan Si-Rusa, Port Dickson, to improve the comfort of children of military personnel studying there.
Besides housing for military personnel, Anwar stressed that the government remains committed to enhancing the country’s defence capabilities through the transparent acquisition of assets, as well as improving various basic amenities and facilities for MAF personnel nationwide.
