KUCHING: The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is extending the pension payment period for widows or widowers of veteran soldiers after the end of their services.
Federal Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz in a press conference explained that the period is extended until the retiree reaches the age of 80.
“We do not have the complete data on the number of widow or widowers. If they are still alive, they can get the pension.
“However, in case of timely death, the pension period the widow or widower has, is 20 years.
“Therefore, now the widow or widowers will receive the pension in line with what other civil servants receive,” he said after awarding the Malaysian Service Medals (PJM) to 713 veterans yesterday.
He pointed out that soldiers can retire at the age of 40, compared to civil servants’ retirement at the age of 60.
For example, if the soldier retires at the age of 40, he or she can continue in the civil service and retire at the age of 60. After the compulsory retirement, the person can receive pension until the age of 80.
In addition, Ikmal disclosed that the Veterans Recognition Advisory Panel has been established and they convened for the first time on July 28 this year.
“During the first meeting, a total of 19 applications were considered.
“The result from the meeting will be announced soon by the ministry,” he said.
He added that the ministry is paying attention to other matters related to pension adjustments and the provision of monthly payments to non-pensioned veteran soldiers as well as the provision of Malaysian Service Medal (PJM) recipients’ allowances.
