Defence Ministry unveils goodies for civilian staff

KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry is launching seven welfare initiatives for its civilian staff and their families this year, said Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

Among the initiatives is the allocation of 500 out of 3,500 affordable housing units being built at Sungai Besi under the Rumah Wilayah Persekutuan programme.

The ministry had been focusing on the welfare of armed forces personnel and veterans previously but this year, it is the civilian staff ’s turn.

“We are saving the best for last. You are the unsung heroes and you are just as valuable to us,” he said in his annual address to the ministry at Wisma Perwira here yesterday.

Another initiative is the monthly MyBestBuy sales carnival, held with the cooperation of the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry and the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, to help civilian staff shop for groceries at below retail prices.

“We are also doubling the haj quota from 100 to 200 people.

“Civilian staff can now get treatment from our armed forces clinics and hospitals,” Hishammuddin said.

Other initiatives include funding and upgrading of daycare centres for ministry staff, education aid for children who do well in PT3 (RM100 a month for a year) and SPM (RM150 a month for a year), and extending the benefits enjoyed by children of armed forces personnel to those of civilian staff at 38 schools in military camps nationwide.

Hishammuddin also announced the launch of two new welfare initiatives for armed forces personnel and veterans.

“The first is the setting up of Amanah Saham Zulu (ASB-Z) with the help of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) and Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd (BMMB), which promises better returns.

“Also under this scheme, BMMB will offer funding packages for between five and 10 years worth RM14,000 to RM140,000,” he said.

The second is a special fund for the Malaysian Armed Forces Family Welfare Association as well as an injection of RM815,000 to the association to be distributed to members.

— Bernama One for the album: Hishammuddin, together with Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharom and Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, posing for a group photo with the armed forces personnel and civilian staff...