After the military, Malaysia’s veterans struggle to seek new livelihoods amid rising costs

KUALA LUMPUR - Yahya Latip, 53, runs a food kiosk at his former workplace, the National Defence University of Malaysia in the capital city, to support his family of four. His monthly pension of RM2,500 (S$790) is barely enough to make ends meet.

For 26 years, Yahya served in the Royal Malay Regiment, one of the Malaysian Army’s premier infantry units, before retiring in 2020 at age 47. During his service, his salary and free meals at the mess hall meant he rarely worried about household finances.

Several years into retirement, he has had to supplement his pension with additional income as living costs rise.

“At one point, I had to borrow RM1,000 from a friend because kiosk sales were slow, my car broke down, and my pension payment had yet to arrive,” the former sergeant told The Straits Times on June 9.

Yahya’s experience reflects a broader challenge facing thousands.

About 5,000 military veterans leave the armed forces each year, most in their early 40s and still supporting young families. With pensions typically ranging from RM2,000 to RM4,000 a month, many seek second careers, prompting government efforts to connect them with jobs in logistics, transport and other sectors.

Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said many such veterans face the challenge of supporting families after early retirement. Malaysia’s median monthly household income stood at RM7,017 in 2024.

“Some veterans have young families with children still in secondary school. A 40-year-old veteran cannot depend on his pension alone to make a living. It’s a loss for the nation if they are not involved in the Malaysian economy,” Khaled told the media on June 4 in Putrajaya.

Enlisted personnel in the Malaysian Armed Forces often leave service – usually at 39 to 42 – earlier than civil servants due to the physical demands of military work or upon completing contractual terms, even though compulsory retirement ages range from 50 to 60 depending on rank and service category. Civil servants retire at 60.

President of the Malaysia Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (MACVA) Wong Ah Jit, 76, said general infantrymen are among the most vulnerable groups in the armed forces after retirement.

These infantrymen face the toughest transition to civilian life, he told ST.

“They are trained to fight in the jungle, and in the past, against communist insurgents. Lacking transferable skills after retirement, many end up taking odd jobs in villages and plantations while still supporting young families with school-going children,” said Wong, a retired military police lieutenant-colonel. MACVA has around 2,000 members, comprising officers and rank-and-file personnel.

He added that technicians such as radio operators and vehicle mechanics often transition more easily, as their skills are directly transferable to civilian jobs such as air traffic control and vehicle maintenance.

To improve veterans’ employment prospects, the Malaysian government now allows military vehicle licences to be converted into civilian Class E licences free of charge. The licence allows holders to drive heavy commercial vehicles, a requirement for obtaining heavy vehicle vocational permits.

The waiver saves veterans between RM4,000 and RM5,000, equivalent to about two months of pension payments, for those aiming for truck-driving work.

One beneficiary is Zulhalimi Ab Aziz, 39, who received his newly converted licence at a June 4 ceremony jointly organised by the Defence and Transport ministries. Scheduled to retire in February 2027, he plans to use it to drive heavy vehicles transporting electrical-wiring equipment in his home state of Kelantan.

“Alternatively, I could apply for a lorry-driving job to make a living,” the father of one told ST. He serves in a mechanised division specialising in operating tow trucks.

Soon-to-be-retired Malaysian army personnel Zulhalimi Ab Aziz (right) plans to use his newly converted licence to operate a lorry transporting wiring equipment after retirement. His colleague Wan Mohd Din Wan Ngah (left) also received his license at the same event.

ST PHOTO: LU WEI HOONG

Military veterans already undergo transition programmes run by the Defence Ministry’s Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT) during their final year of service. But Khaled acknowledged that training courses do not always match industry needs, prompting the ministry to seek stronger partnerships with employers.

Under a March 2026 initiative led by Deputy Prime Minister and TVET Council chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Transport Ministry has partnered with nearly a dozen private companies, trade associations, and public agencies to offer over 3,200 jobs for military veterans.

These positions span the port, logistics, rail, and public transport sectors – with potential expansion into aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Among the participating employers is Port Klang-based Infinity Logistics and Transport Sdn Bhd, which is offering 100 vacancies for roles including truck drivers and electricians; the company has already hired its first 12 veterans.

Military veterans are highly disciplined and bring years of experience operating specialised vehicles., Loke told media at the recent ceremony.

“There is strong demand for drivers in the logistics sector. Under the new policy, veterans can convert their military licences into civilian licences, enabling them to operate prime movers at ports. Companies can then provide the necessary job-specific training while gaining access to a pool of skilled workers. Veterans do not have to bear the cost of training.”

Infinity Logistics’ head of people, Loo Leap Han, said successful applicants would undergo three to six months of training before joining the workforce, as the company seeks to meet strong demand for drivers.

“On average, they would earn more than RM3,000 a month, excluding commissions,” he told ST.

Air force veteran Mohd Lockman Abdul Jabar, 47, has accepted an offer from the company as a haulier driver. The role pays more than RM3,000 a month, supplementing his RM5,000 pension. The additional income will help support his two daughters through tertiary education.

Malaysian Air Force veteran Mohd Lockman Abdul Jabar has accepted an offer from Infinity Logistics as a haulier driver, a role that will supplement his income.

ST PHOTO: LU WEI HOONG

“We are now ordinary civilians earning a living day and night. Back in the barracks, we simply followed orders. Now I need to work hard or I will fall behind,” he said.