Veterans of the past under appreciated

Retired Superintendent of Police Datuk Pahlawan Paul Kiong who received the nation’s highest gallantry award Darjah Kebesaran Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa SP thinks veterans aren’t given what they deserve.

Recipients of the SP awards are entitled to a monetary allowance and gain status above even those honoured with the titles Tun and Tan Sri.

“For the SP award, we receive an allowance of RM2,000 a month and that was last revised in 2009,” he said.

He added that in 2009, the Dewan Rakyat approved an increase in this medal allowance to RM2,000 per month, however, with the cost of living steadily rising, it is reasonable for the government to consider raising this allowance by reviewing the allowance every five years like how the United Kingdom do with Victoria Cross.

“We are not asking for RM10,000 or even RM20,000 but just to review the allowance to commensurate with our livelihood. That’s all that we’re asking for,” he said.

He later said the government should take care of veterans’ welfare, especially those who can’t support themselves due to handicaps or receive little to no assistance.

Raise allowance for medal recipients

“We are grateful to the government but I believe we can do more especially with the prosperity and the peace that we brought to the country,” he said during an interview with the media at the Royal Malaysia Police Museum in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

“What for, you give us the (SP) award but with no perks?” he added.

Kiong stated that increasing SP recipients’ allowance would demonstrate the country’s deep appreciation for their sacrifice and service.

“If it is increased, this proves that the government cares about issues involving retirees like us. This also means that the government always cares about our fate,” he said.

First Admiral (Retired) Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah who is also a former Member of Parliament for Port Dickson also echoed similar sentiments in stressing that the monthly pension for retired military and police personnel is insufficient

Pension should be commensurate current salary scale

“The government should follow the law and review our pensions to be commensurate with the current salary scale and not the two per cent increment as they stipulated in the law in 2013. It is nullified.

“Despite pension increases annually only amounting to tens of ringgit, the relentless rise in prices of goods and necessities persists. Consequently, we implore the government to contemplate elevating allowances and pensions for retired military and police personnel,” he said.

He later pointed out that 70 per cent of retirement fund beneficiaries hail from low-income or B40 demographics, advocating for a comprehensive review of pensions for retired military and police personnel, citing their current inadequacy as cause for concern and reform.