KUALA LUMPUR – Though retired from the army, the march is not over for three veterans who are walking 250km from Ipoh to Putrajaya to hand a memorandum to the prime minister demanding immediate action on veterans’ welfare.
The veterans on the march are Major (R) Shahrulniza Tarmiji, 52, Flight Sergeant (R) Mohd Yusoff, 56, and First Warrant Officer (R) Vasanthi Ramakrishnan, 61.
Speaking to The Vibes, Shahrulniza said the group expects to arrive at the Putrajaya Mosque by 7pm this evening. At 7am tomorrow morning, they will march to the Prime Minister’s Office at Putra Perdana.
The group began their journey on Sunday, September 11.
Upon arrival at Putrajaya, they will be met by the Malaysian People’s Patriotic Voice Organisation (PSPRM).
In a statement, PSPRM president Major (R) Mior Rosli urged fellow veterans and their families to gather tomorrow morning as a show of solidarity in their pursuit for veterans’ welfare.
“We must show our unity in demanding our rights and our welfare in accordance with the law,” the statement read.
In June, at least 500 veterans gathered peacefully at the historic Tugu Negara, issuing demands related to pension schemes, amnesty, and rights for disabled veterans.
These include pension payments for those who have served the army for less than 21 years. Veterans have said that many of these issues have been outstanding for the last eight years. – The Vibes, September 14, 2022
