‘New govt ignoring welfare of veterans’

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: The plight of army veterans is seemingly ignored by the Pakatan Harapan government as it has been nine months but there have not been any plans from the Defence Ministry regarding the welfare of veterans, said Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

“When I was defence minister, the agenda of our veterans was something close to my heart. Health, children’s education, housing ... if the federal government wants to get rid of policies from my time, then it must be replaced with something better.

“But I have not seen what they (Pakatan) are capable of doing. If this goes on, the veterans will become the victims,” he said at a press conference after having breakfast with army veterans from Felda Sungai Koyan here yesterday.

Hishammuddin was on a one-day visit here as part of Barisan Nasional’s campaign for the Cameron Highlands by-election.

He urged army veterans to vote for Barisan’s candidate Ramli Mohd Nor as a message to the federal government.

“The Cameron Highlands by-election is a golden opportunity for the veterans to bring their voice to parliament. Of course, I will always bring up issues related to the army’s welfare as I am the former defence minister. But it is better to have more voices,” said Hishammuddin.

“If Ramli wins, I will make sure that he will raise the plight of veterans in the Dewan Rakyat.”

On Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s three-day visit here, Hishammuddin said he sees no issue in the matter.

“Sure, the ongoing court cases is one thing but the people of Pahang still view him (Najib) as a son of Pahang.

“He was once the Pahang Mentri Besar. So why should there be any issue of him coming down to campaign?” he asked Hishammuddin.