This is an open communication from my heart, and also on behalf of my brothers at arms, to you, your cabinet and the government.
We, the brave veterans in this nation, are an ignored lot. I say this with full conviction.
The very nation that we served and protected during the best years of our lives. Upon attestation, we took a solemn oath, that we still uphold till the day we die, unlike other public servants, including politicians, who failed in this aspect. This can be clearly seen in the cases of corruption and dereliction of duty.
WE SIGNED A BLANK CHEQUE, IN BLOOD, accepting to be in harm's way. Yes, our service is voluntary, as we do not have compulsory service or conscription. Our career is noble, fraught with uncertainties and of course dangerous and uncomfortable. Yet, we soldiered on, with strong commitment, determination and a sense of love for the nation. We stood stoicly for GOD, KING AND COUNTRY!
Imagine our lives....one day in a trench, in pouring rain, eating instant noodles, to the next day in full military mess kit dining with our King ( who is by constitution, our Supreme Commander) Such is the spectrum and nature of military service. I hope with the preceding explanation, I have given a crystal clear picture of ourselves.
Now, as all others in public service, we retire, get old, but never die...we only fade away.
For those who survive and receive a hard earned pension, life is a roller coaster. For those who sacrificed their lives in the course of combat fatalities, they leave behind loved ones, who have certain entitlements too. We remember them each and every year with the highest of gratitude and throw a smart salute military style. For they gave their lives so that we have ours. Sound familiar???
Coming to the crunch of matters. We were shortchanged when salaries were revised in 2013, but pensioners got a raw deal. The veterans, (or rather some brave and determined ones) looked to the courts for justice and got it somewhat. But, what did the government do? It appealed against the judgment in our favour and the matter is now in the Court of Appeal. Well done! It's your legal right, you may say. I do agree, but look back a little.
The previous defence minister, who is still in your cabinet, in parliament stated when asked about the pensions issue, that it's in the courts and the government shall abide by the court judgement. Now it's a different story. Never mind lah, parliamentary immunity etc.etc.
You don't necessarily mean what you say kan? Votes matter, not words kan?
Be very clear, we are not beggars, but proud veterans. All we are asking is our rightful pensions, not a wishy-washy civilian type solution. WE ARE CITIZENS, VETERANS, NOT CIVILIANS!
You recently, and very eloquently addressed a large audience stating those who stole public funds and amassed wealth to return it to the people. Good luck with that.
Well, we, veterans can ironically ask you to return our " stolen" pensions. Boleh kan? I have also always wondered whether we got our UN Peacekeeping allowances fully or a "haircut" happened. Maybe, some transparency needed here?
Finally Sir,
I now summarise the details:
1. The lot of us left in the lurch are way beyond our 60s, some passing away week after week. In 10 to 15 years all will be gone, survived, maybe, by widows and war widows. Yes, don't forget them too, their spouses died in service.
2. For those who retired before 2013, give out the arrears to date. Even by installments is acceptable, not simply ignored.
3. Restore our pensions to current account, not fancy formula.
4. We have been punished enough, don't punish our widows too, who stand alone at last.
5. Yes, it's a matter of money too, and also dignity. Do you know how many officers are in the B40 group??? When commissioned, we were told we are Division 1 government officers. Not to travel on buses, motorbikes, but cars and taxis. How strange, we ended up in the lower echelons of society?
6. Don't say no money, not in budget. It's KWAP money, all there. Even a kleptocrat siphoned it.
7. No more " akan dibincang, dalam proses dll lagi". Fix it or Fake it. It's all up to your reform agenda. Kill this issue once and for all and earn a veteran's respect, or otherwise earn his displeasure. This is military language. I say no more. Salam Sejahtera.
DAULAT TUANKU
GEMPUR WIRA
TANGKAS TEGAS SAKSAMA
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