KUALA LUMPUR – The Ministry of Defense intends to make it compulsory for all members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) who are still serving to continue their service in the MAF for up to 21 years.

Senior Minister of Defence, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, the proposal will involve amendments to the Armed Forces Act 1972 involving pension and gratuity rules.

He said that currently under the Armed Forces Act members can choose to terminate their service after 12, 15 and 18 years, but they will not receive a pension.

“After 21 years of service, they will be given a pension”, we have discussed and suggested that those who are still working should reach a service period of 21 years, so that they can receive a pension.

“So when they get a pension, at least if they are not successful in terms of business, they can get financial resources from the pension,” he said at a press conference in conjunction with the Gathering and Breaking Fast Ceremony with veterans’ associations at the MAF Wisma Perwira, today.

He added that usually they will retire at a young age if they started serving at the age of 18.

“Saying they have served for 21 years means they will retire early and their children are still young, and therefore, the ministry will make amendments to the Armed Forces Act so that all members must serve up to 21 years to receive a pension,” he said.

He explained that the Ministry of Defence has given an assurance that MAF personnel who have served for at least 21 years will have a source of income to continue their life after retirement.

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Anggota ATM Yang Masih Berkhidmat Wajib Bersara 21 Tahun – Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR – Kementerian Pertahanan bercadang untuk mewajibkan kepada seluruh anggota Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) yang masih berkhidmat untuk meneruskan perkhidmatan persaraan sehingga 21 tahun.

Menteri Kanan Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob berkata, cadangan tersebut akan melibatkan pindaan Akta Angkatan Tentera 1972 membabitkan peraturan pencen dan ganjaran.

Beliau berkta, pada masa ini dibawah Akta Angkatan Tentera anggota boleh memilih untuk menamatkan perkhidmatan selama 12, 15 dan 18 tahun, namun mereka tidak akan menerima pencen.

“Selepas 21 tahun berkhidmat baru mereka akan diberi pencen,“Kita sudah berbincang dan mencadangkan supaya mereka yang masih bekerja haruslah mencecah tempoh perkhidmatan 21 tahun, supaya mereka boleh menerima pencen.

“Jadi apabila mereka dapat pencen, sekurang-kurangnya jika tidak berjaya dari segi peniagaan mereka boleh mendapatkan sumber kewangan daripada pencen,” katanya pada sidang media sempena Majlis Perjumpaan dan Berbuka Puasa bersama persatuan-persatuan veteran di Wisma Perwira ATM, hari ini.

Tambah beliau, biasanya mereka akan berpencen pada umur yang muda sekiranya mula berkidmat pada umur 18 tahun.

“Katakan mereka berkidmat 21 tahun bermakna mereka akan berpencen awal dan anak masih lagi kecil, “Oleh demikian pihak kementerian akan membuat pindaan kepada Akta Angkatan Tentera supaya semua anggota perlu berkhidmat sehingga 21 tahun dan mendapat pencen,” ujarnya.

Jelasnya, Kementerian Pertahanan memberi jaminan bahawa, anggota ATM yang berkhidmat sekurang-kurangnya 21 tahun akan mempunyai sumber pendapatan untuk meneruskan kelangsungan hidup setelah bersara kelak.