Veterans Dept Ex Servicemen S Ngo Clash Over Pensions Protest

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Pertubuhan Pembela Pejuang Malaysia members, with placards, at a recent court hearing over their pension claims. (PPPM picture)
PETALING JAYA: The veterans’ affairs department (JHEV) is at loggerheads with an NGO comprising former servicemen over a planned protest next week involving unresolved pension issues.
In a letter to Bukit Aman, JHEV urged police to stop the gathering which is scheduled to take place on Monday.
JHEV director-general Semaon Marjuki said the NGO, Pertubuhan Pembela Pejuang Malaysia (PPPM), has no locus standi to stage the protest as they are not registered with the department as a body representing former armed forces personnel.
He said the planned gathering was related to dissatisfaction over the pension calculations under the new remuneration system for civil servants (SSPA).
“Only bodies registered with JHEV under the Veterans Act 2012 are allowed to carry out activities involving former servicemen. PPPM cannot carry out any activity related to former armed forces personnel.
“We urge Bukti Aman to stop this gathering to prevent the action from damaging the image of JHEV and other bona fide veterans’ associations,” he said in the letter dated Dec 18 sighted by FMT.
When contacted, a PPPM representative said it had nothing to do with the message to all former armed forces personnel asking them to gather at the JHEV headquarters.
He said it originated from an independent group of veterans to seek an explanation from the director-general as to why the anomaly in pensions affecting those who retired before 2013 has not been rectified.
The Whatsapp message claimed the amount announced is less than what they are entitled to, adding that the government has also violated the Armed Forces Regulations (Pensions, Gratuities and Other Benefits) 1982.
It said all they want are answers from the department that handles veterans’ affairs.
The message said the authorities would assume that all affected veterans accept their lower pensions if they do not stand up to demand for what is rightfully theirs. - FMT

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