BY NATASHA JOIBI

KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry (Mindef) aims to provide 30,000 units of comfortable housing to Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) personnel and veterans under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).

Its minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said improving the welfare of ATM personnel and veterans was one of five areas that the ministry would be focusing on in the five-year plan.

According to him, the ministry was preparing a special blueprint for the Armed Forces Family Home (RKAT).

“It requires more detailed discussion, and I plan to present it to the public through a master plan.

“RKAT gives hope to our personnel and veterans. We care about their welfare and will do whatever it takes to provide them infrastructures such as housing,” he explained.

When asked if there were criteria that needed to be satisfied to qualify for RKAT housing, Hishammuddin said the details would be contingent upon Budget 2016.

“It depends on what would be supplied to the ministry under RMK11, which will only be specified in the next budget announcement,” he added.

Hishammuddin said the 30,000 units would be provided throughout 11MP and 12MP spanning 10 years.

Under 11MP, the ministry also aims to improve ATM’s asset and infrastructure, increase its capacity in handling non-traditional threats, strengthen innovation and commercialisation in the defence industry and revamp the National Service Training Programme (PLKN).

Hishammuddin spoke to reporters at the monthly meeting at the Mindef headquarters in Jalan Padang Tembak here yesterday.

Also present was newly appointed Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Wira Mohd Johari Baharum.