SUNGAI BULOH: Up to 5,000 armed forces veterans are expected to secure jobs by 2030 under the Lindung Kerjaya MyFutureJobs Wira programme, says Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
He said the programme will be expanded this year to reach more than 2,500 veterans and achieve a minimum job placement rate of 45%.
“Our aim is not only to create job opportunities but to help veterans secure decent wages that match their skills and discipline.
“Hiring them gives industries a competent workforce and is a strategic way to reduce dependence on foreign workers,” he said on Tuesday (March 10).
Ramanan spoke at a memorandum of understanding (MOU) exchange ceremony between the Ex-Serviceman Affairs Corporation (Perhebat), the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV) and the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin also witnessed the signing.
The MOU was signed by Perhebat director-general Datuk Amir Md Noor, JHEV ATM director-general Major General Datuk Semaon Marjuki and Perkeso group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.
Ramanan said the MOU provides a clear framework to ensure veterans have access to jobs and social security.
Key measures include identity verification by JHEV and Perhebat, and data integration between the MyFutureJobs and Veteran Integrated Benefit System (Vibes) platforms to improve job matching for veterans.
Ramanan said 5,530 veterans secured jobs in various sectors between 2020 and 2025.
“Last year, 573 veterans started new careers in the manufacturing sector, which offered the most placements, followed by the services and technical sectors,” he said, adding that more than 14,000 veterans have registered with the MyFutureJobs portal.
“When servicemen leave the force, the real challenge is that many employers do not realise they are hiring a complete package.
“They have discipline, leadership, mental strength, high skills and integrity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled said the partnership between Perhebat, JHEV ATM and Perkeso will build a comprehensive ecosystem that links veterans to careers based on their location and industry.
“These efforts will help veterans nationwide secure decent jobs,” he said.
He said the initiative is in line with the Defence Ministry’s goals under the National Defence Industry Policy and the Perhebat Transformation Plan 2026-2035, which focus on helping veterans build a second career.
According to Khaled, about 5,000 armed forces personnel retire each year, many of them between 39 and 41 years old.
“They can still contribute, and it would be a waste if we do not give them a platform to help develop the country,” he said.
He said the ministry is also looking to expand industry-based training for personnel nearing the end of their service.
“We want them to receive the best possible training to further improve their skills.
“This will also help industries assess their performance more accurately,” he said.
