Armed Forces Veterans Association president Shahrudin Omar says majority of army veterans fall into the lower-income B40 bracket.

“I hope the army veterans are not left out in the government’s initiative to help the people because 80% of them are poor.

“Maybe the government can offer them job opportunities, especially to those who retire early in their 40s,” he told FMT.

Shahrudin also suggested that Putrajaya build a healthcare facility for veterans as the gruelling training they underwent took a toll on their bodies once they hit 50 years old.

Meanwhile, P Sundramoorthy, the adviser to the Penang chapter of the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation, said Putrajaya should look into increasing the housing allowance for police personnel.

Those stationed in urban areas, he said, had to deal with an increase in rent.

An officer who spoke on condition of anonymity told FMT that although police personnel were provided quarters, some had to rent houses if the quarters were full. The rank-and-file personnel are the most affected by a rise in rent.

Meanwhile, Salawati Mat Basir, a lecturer at the National Defence Education Centre, urged the government to spend on maritime assets to beef up security at the borders.

More assets were needed especially along the Malacca straits and East Malaysia, she said.

“We need maritime assets to protect our waters from various threats and intrusion, notably smugglers, as well as to chase after ships that dispose of waste.”

In 2021, the Royal Malaysian Navy reported 23 intrusions into the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone by Chinese vessels.

Between January and June 10 last year, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency made a total of 442 arrests for various offences, including human trafficking, smuggling of contraband and controlled goods, and encroachment by foreign fishermen.