BETONG: The Ministry of Defence, through the Department of Veterans Affairs of the Malaysian Armed Forces (JHEV ATM), has continued its commitment to improving the welfare of veterans by inaugurating the New Housing Construction Initiative under the Veteran Housing Programme.

The launch ceremony was officiated by director-general of JHEV ATM, Major General Datuk Semaon Marjuki. The event marked the handover of a new home to Unyi Isa, a widow residing at 219 Entaban Land, Duri Bangat, Betong.

Semaon expressed his gratitude to all attendees for their support and underscored the Ministry’s dedication to addressing the housing needs of low-income veterans.

“This initiative is a testament to our ongoing commitment to enhancing the well-being of our veterans, aligning with the Malaysia MADANI agenda,” he said.

JHEV’s housing assistance programmes encompass new construction, home repairs, and allocations under the SASaR MINDEF project, which reserves 15 per cent of its housing units for veterans.

For Sarawak, the government has allocated RM65,000 per house for the New Housing Construction Programme, with an additional RM20,000 subsidy per unit provided by the Ministry of Finance through Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB).

To date, 53 new construction applications and 209 repair applications have been approved nationwide, involving a total allocation of RM6.19 million. Sarawak accounts for six new construction approvals and 43 home repair applications under the 2024 programme. For 2025, JHEV aims to increase these numbers, supported by an enhanced budget of RM7.24 million.