KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 18,786 armed forces veterans, both pensioners and non-pensioners, have received the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) assistance of RM300 per month, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the assistance amounted to RM67.6 million so far.
He said the government had also allocated RM3,000 for khairat (death benefits) to the veterans, and RM1,500 for the heirs, with a total of RM455,000 spent so far.
"In terms of health, a total of RM103 million has been allocated for treatment, medications and the purchase of medical equipment," he said in reply to a question from R. Yuneswaran (PH-Segamat).
Yuneswaran had asked about the scope of empowerment implemented for the welfare and sustainability of veterans of the armed forces, irrespective of pensioners or non-pensioners.
Adly said for housing, three initiatives have been outlined, namely the construction of 40 new homes, and 170 houses being repaired, as well as the One Member One House (SASaR) scheme.
Adly added the ministry, via the Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV) also focused on education with RM557,000 allocated so far for assistance for students at primary and secondary school levels.
"(While) RM1,000 assistance is channled for students at the diploma level and RM1,500 at the degree level.
"In addition to that, as announced in the 2024 Budget, the government has decided to give special assistance of RM1,000 involving an additional allocation of RM213 million," he said.