Lack of digital skills preventing elderly veterans from getting aid
Low digital skills have been identified as among the reasons why many armed forces (MAF) veterans have yet to register with the MAF Veteran Affairs Department.
Its director-general Dzulkarnain Ahmad said that made it difficult for the department to channel government assistance and benefits to the veterans...
Low digital skills have been identified as among the reasons why many armed forces (MAF) veterans have yet to register with the MAF Veteran Affairs Department.
Its director-general Dzulkarnain Ahmad said that made it difficult for the department to channel government assistance and benefits to the veterans.
“Some of them are old and unfamiliar with digital technology, making it difficult for them to register online.
"There are also situations where some of them have their own jobs after retirement and are not in need of having ties with the government,” he explained.
He said that based on their records, as of July 30, the total number of MAF veterans and dependents was 306,900.
“They are divided into three categories - 102,559 are veterans with pension, 180,395 non-pensionable veterans, and 23,946 veterans’ widows,” he told Bernama.
Dzulkarnain added that out of the total non-pensionable veterans, only 95,933 had registered and had a complete record thus far while the remaining 84,462 have yet to register.
He urged those who have yet to register to do so immediately.
He clarified that the department, as a medium to channel government aid, will continue its efforts to track down unregistered veterans. Previous efforts include the establishment of a special committee on the matter two months ago.
“The committee will review the original documents of non-pensionable MAF veterans to be re-registered into the existing system."
He said that the committee has further facilitated the department's efforts in locating and registering the veterans to channel assistance allocated under the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package, as announced by the government in March.
The process of tracking down non-pensionable veterans was also assisted by 132 military veteran associations and 350 branches, he added.
“With the involvement of the associations, efforts to track down the veterans can be implemented continuously.”
- Bernama
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.