The prime minister also announced a special pilgrimage quota for retired police personnel while some affordable housing units would be reserved for them.

In addition, the government would set up branches of the ex-policemen’s association in every state, he added when addressing a gathering of police pensioners at Putra World Trade Centre here.

The announcements were welcomed by most ex-policemen at the event.

Mohamad Kassim Othman, 67, said the housing allocation would be beneficial as there were still many police pensioners who did not have their own houses.

He also welcomed the pilgrimage quota, saying retirement was the best time to go for the haj.

Muhamad Zaki Khairuddin, 70, also praised the pilgrimage quota as most useful.

He agreed retirement gave them the time to perform the pilgrimage.

However, Zaki said he felt disappointed with the RM3 million annual allocation, describing the amount as inadequate.

He pointed out that the number of police pensioners were many and hoped the allocation could be raised in future.

Muhamad Zubir Jantan, 58, said the benefits announced by Najib had long been requested by the police personnel.

“For a long time, the pensioners didn’t get anything. We joined the association but received no benefits.

“With this announcement, our struggle to go for the haj has been answered,” he said, adding he himself had not been on the pilgrimage yet.

Najib said he was thankful for the loyalty of the police force to the government and hoped their support would be continued.