Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Defence remains committed to strengthening the Armed Forces Veterans Affairs Corporation (Perhebat) as a key platform for facilitating second careers for veterans, in line with the Defence White Paper (KPP), which emphasises human capital development and the socio-economic wellbeing of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) retirees and veterans.
It reaffirmed its goal to transform Perhebat into an effective enabler and connector for veterans seeking new career paths.
“Perhebat is actively expanding industrial collaborations across various sectors to create more quality employment opportunities for veterans. It is also working to increase training funds through partnerships with the corporate sector to support human capital development initiatives for future retirees and veterans,” it said.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});Additionally, Perhebat is exploring new areas such as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of military assets, aimed at offering both training and job placement opportunities for targeted groups.
On June 3, Perhebat signed eight memoranda and notes of understanding (MoUs & NoUs) with industry partners to further support veterans and future retirees in employment placement, entrepreneurship and training programmes.
The signatories include Boustead Petroleum Marketing (BHPetrol), Johor Royal Service Corps (Askar Timbalan Setia Negeri Johor), Maxis Broadband, TAB Security, Kamatech Automotive & Engineering, Hexide Engineering, AMS Caddy Academy and Nur Lembah Pangsun Eco Resort.
As part of the nationwide Certificate Award Ceremony, 3,473 MAF personnel successfully completed Transition Training. Additionally, 514 personnel and veterans were awarded the Malaysian Skills Diploma under the Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) initiative.
The RPEL programme, implemented in collaboration with the Department of Skills Development (JPK), aims to provide value-added opportunities for personnel and veterans to pursue higher education and enhance their employability. Through this initiative, participants can earn the Malaysian Skills Certificate, Malaysian Skills Diploma and Advanced Malaysian Skills Diploma.
Since its inception in 2017, a total of 5,793 MAF personnel and veterans have received the Malaysian Skills Diploma.
RPEL is a certification programme that formally recognises the experience, skills and achievements gained by personnel and veterans during their service, allowing them to conclude their military careers with certified qualifications.
In Sabah, a total of 278 graduates received their awards under Series 1/2025 on June 12. Among them, 33 were awarded the Malaysian Skills Diploma — comprising 32 active MAF personnel and one veteran — while the remaining received the Perhebat Certificate.
The ceremony at Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic was officiated by Commander of the 5th Infantry Division, Major General Dato Noorul Azril Ariffin.