Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak looking at a model of the new Wisma Perwira, the Defence Ministry’s new building in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, after officiating at its groundbreaking.

The building, located next to the existing Wisma Perwira, is expected to be a new landmark for the armed forces.

He was accompanied by Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Bakar Abdullah (picture, left), Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal (picture, centre) and Air Force chief General Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin (picture, right).

Najib had announced that the government had decided to introduce an improved disability benefit scheme for serving and retired armed forces personnel.

It would be backdated to January 2001 and involves an additional payment of RM13 million.

A total of 1,860 serving and retired armed forces personnel would benefit from the improved scheme.

He said arrears would be paid in stages beginning this month for the serving personnel and from January next year for retired personnel. Eligible personnel would receive ex-gratia payment under the Occupational Hazard Compensation Scheme now enjoyed by civil service personnel.