SERI KEMBANGAN: The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) welcomes corporate and private sector participation in the Gerobok Rezeki food aid programme to help its 15,000 B40 veteran military families get through the pandemic.
Speaking to reporters at a food aid handing over ceremony, its Commander, General Tan Sri Affendi Buang said there were at least 15,000 veterans from the force who fall under the low income bracket and need assistance in the form of food and financial aid.
He said many of the families in the B40 lower earning category were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This ‘Bantu Malaysia Food Boxes’ initiative is helpful and effective in reducing our veterans’ household burdens, especially in providing them with basic food necessities.
“It is a one-off assistance we provide for those in the B40 income bracket, as and when any corporate party comes forward to help,” he said after accepting 10,000 Food Aid boxes from the Founder of Mines Resort and Country Heights Holdings Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew at the Palace of Golden Horses here today.
He thanked Lee for the support and generosity in providing for army veterans and their families during these difficult times.
“I would also like to call on more NGOs, corporate companies, private sector and welfare communities to emulate Lee’s effort to assist the less fortunate veterans and their families,” he said.
Also present were Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Muez Abdul Aziz and Army chief, General Tan Sri Zamrose Mohd Zain.
There are about 270,000 army veterans registered with the Retired Veteran Armed Forces association in the country.
Lee meanwhile said they will soon add another 10,000 food boxes on top of today’s contribution, to be distributed among those who needed it in the force.
In an unrelated development on the shooting of four Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) at the RMAF camp in Kota Samarahan recently, Affendi said the investigation was still ongoing.
“The case is still under police investigation and we are waiting for a full report from them. We cannot comment further at this time until the investigation paper is completed,” he said.
Four personnel were killed during the shooting incident on Aug 13 at the RMAF 330 Squadron Handau Control Room.
[Source: New Straits Times (August 27, 2021) https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/721905/atm-welcomes-aid-help-its-veterans-weather-pandemic]