Khaled said the fund had helped provide veterans with cost of living aid, disaster relief, dialysis facilities, prosthetic limbs, and funds for housing and funeral arrangements.

“The contributions from this fund are systematically and efficiently utilised to help alleviate their burdens,” he said at the Tabung Pahlawan charity dinner here tonight.

Also present were the fund’s patron Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, deputy defence minister Adly Zahari, army chief Hafizuddeain Jantan, navy chief Zulhelmy Ithnin, and veterans affairs department director-general Semaon Marjuki.

Khaled said the veterans affairs department aims to raise RM3 million this year and is looking for more contributions to help support the country’s 300,000 veterans.

“Every contribution is highly valuable,” he said, adding that the contributions were tax deductible.

Meanwhile, Khaled also urged Malaysians to reject extreme ideologies and practices that could divide the country.

He said they were contrary to the values and principles of a multiracial and diverse society like Malaysia.