SIBU: Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari visited a total of 20 Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) veterans who are bedridden, chronically ill, and in need of special attention, particularly in aspects of health and care, through the Sibu District level Madani Veteran Care Programme (PVM).
The second series of the PVM tour to Sarawak covers Song, Kapit, Kanowit, and Bintangor and runs for three days from July 26 to 28.
Adly said that the PVM initiative will continue to be implemented and serve as a platform for two-way interaction between the Ministry of Defence and ATM veterans.
“It involves five main focuses: welfare, health, housing, education, and economic empowerment of ATM veterans.
“PVM also acts as a platform for the Ministry to provide entrepreneurial incentive contributions to ATM veterans in need as encouragement to strengthen their enterprises,” he said in a press conference here on Friday (July 26).
He also stressed that his ministry is committed to further enhancing PVM through collaboration networks with the Health Services Division, ATM Headquarters, the Department of Social Welfare, and other relevant agencies through future welfare visit series.
“This is to ensure no ATM veteran is left out from receiving the provided incentives,” he added.
During the programme, Adly also presented donations consisting of essential items such as food, health supplements, and disposable nappies to each veteran visited, as well as distributing 550 Bakul Rahmah to local veteran associations to be given to veterans asnaf (those in need).
He also met with five ATM veteran entrepreneurs who are engaged in industries such as stingless bee honey production, frozen foods, and restaurants.
“This meeting demonstrated the support and commitment of the Ministry of Defence to ATM veterans, encouraging them to continue improving their socioeconomic status with various aid schemes provided as ATM veterans and by government agencies,” he added.
Also present were director-general of JHEV ATM, Maj-Gen Datuk Zambery Jefry Darus; the director of JHEV Sarawak State Branch, Maj Steven Kadir; and representatives from ATM veteran associations around Sibu.
