Housing boost for military personnel

KUANTAN: The Defence Ministry will formulate a housing master plan to upgrade the housing for military personnel in camps nationwide.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the master plan would improve military housing which did not meet government specifications.

"I will discuss this matter with the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) Chief. This master plan proves that we care for the welfare of military personnel," he told reporters after handing over house keys to 300 military personnel at Desa Tentera Darat, Sungai Panching, here today.
    
It was also attended by Army Chief, Gen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and 4th Brigade Commander, Brig Gen Ahmad Tajuddin Abdul Ghani.

The housing master plan was expected to be implemented under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP).

Hishammuddin said the military housing needs upgrading for the comfort of personnel who sacrificed so much to defend the nation's sovereignty.

"Our military camps are not only in bad shape but also inadequate, forcing many to rent premises outside," he added.

The government had approved RM1.1 billion for new housing in 10 camps - Oran (Perlis); Tok Jalai (Kedah); Batu Melintang and Desa Pahlawan (Kelantan); Syed Sirajuddin (Negeri Sembilan); Lok Kawi (Sabah), Semenggo, Sri Aman, Batu 10 and Sri Miri (Sarawak).

All the housing projects are expected to be completed in two to three years. The Defence Ministry also allocated another RM100 million for repair and upgrade of
housing. Of the total, RM60 million was allocated for the Army. – Bernama