JOHOR BARU: The Defence Ministry will wait for the Court of Appeal’s decision to address the issue of streamlining pension for Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel who retired prior to 2013, says minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said the matter would extend beyond retired MAF personnel as it also affects former judges and retired civil servants.
The groups had initiated legal action against the Malaysian government regarding the matter.
“This is a matter of policy; when it comes to salaries and pensions, we are subject to the Public Service Department (JPA). The case is pending at the Court of Appeal. It will begin in January next year, so we will see the court’s decision.
“We do not want a different pension for former judges, a different pension for military veterans and a different pension for retired civil servants ... that is unhealthy. The court’s assessment laws will not differ because they involve the same matter,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled said this after presenting the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) Awards to 475 veterans who served during the Emergency period at the Taman Pulai Utama multipurpose hall here yesterday.
On Feb 5, Bernama reported that the High Court had allowed the originating summons filed by 50 retired MAF personnel against the government, the Malaysian Armed Forces Council, and two other parties regarding pension adjustments for those who retired before Jan 1, 2013.
The retired MAF personnel of various ranks filed the originating summons on Nov 17, 2022.
They are seeking to have their pensions adjusted according to the rates and methods applied to all MAF retirees who retired after Jan 1, 2013.
Asked to comment on Army chief Jen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan’s proposal to cancel the Black Hawk helicopter lease contract due to delay in delivery, Mohamed Khaled said MAF’s operations would remain unaffected.
“MAF can still carry out operations and tasks as planned, but at the same time, having the helicopters would certainly enhance its efforts in fulfilling the responsibilities of the Malaysian Army.
“We have other helicopters and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has some as well. These helicopters are useful, especially when transporting equipment and food supplies to the rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak.
“I have to wait for the reports and see if there are any charges or penalties before a decision is made,” he said.
On April 16, Jen Muhammad Hafizuddeain said the army would take further action if the appointed contractor failed to deliver the first Black Hawk helicopter by the end of last month.
