Government Targets 5,000 Jobs for Armed Forces Veterans by 2030 Through New Career Programme
SUNGAI BULOH — The government has set a target of helping 5,000 Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) veterans secure employment by 2030 through the LINDUNG Kerjaya MYFutureJobs Wira programme, a new initiative designed to support military personnel transitioning into civilian careers.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the initiative is part of a coordinated effort involving several government agencies to ensure that retired military personnel continue contributing to the nation’s economy and development after leaving active service.
The programme was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT), the Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV), and the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
Strategic Partnership to Support Veterans
The agreement was signed in Kuala Lumpur by Socso Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, PERHEBAT Director-General Datuk Ts Amir Md Noor, and JHEV Director-General Major General Datuk Semaon Marjuki.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Mohamed Khaled and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan at Kem Sungai Buloh.
According to Mohamed Khaled, the target of placing 5,000 veterans into employment reflects the approximate number of military personnel who retire from service annually.
Each year, about 5,000 members of the Malaysian Armed Forces end their military careers, many of whom retire at relatively young ages between 39 and 42 years old.
“These individuals still possess the energy, discipline and valuable skills developed during their years of service,” he said during a press conference after the MoU signing.
“It would be a great loss if their experience and capabilities were not channelled into the country’s continued growth and development.”
Training Within Industry for Second Careers
To ensure veterans adapt smoothly to civilian employment, Mohamed Khaled proposed a training model that places retiring personnel directly within companies during their transition period.
Through this approach, industries will be able to provide hands-on training while simultaneously evaluating the veterans’ performance.
Companies may then offer permanent employment to participants who demonstrate the required competencies.
“This system allows industries to benefit from the veterans’ discipline and leadership while giving the veterans practical exposure to new career environments,” he explained.
The Defence Minister added that such collaboration will help bridge the gap between military service and private sector employment.
Funding Through Government Procurement Policy
Financial support for reskilling and training initiatives under the programme will partly come from the government’s one-per-cent policy, which allocates funding from ministry procurement projects.
This mechanism enables companies involved in government projects to contribute towards workforce development programmes, including training for veterans transitioning to civilian careers.
Human Resources Minister Ramanan described the MoU as an important operational framework that ensures the programme is implemented in a systematic and impactful manner.
Encouraging Progress in Veteran Employment
Recent statistics indicate encouraging progress in efforts to integrate veterans into the workforce.
Between 2020 and 2025, 5,530 veterans successfully secured employment across various sectors, reflecting growing collaboration between government agencies and industry partners.
Last year alone, 573 former military personnel began new careers, with many finding opportunities in the manufacturing industry.
The trend has continued into 2026, with 121 veterans securing jobs as of January, earning salaries ranging from RM2,500 to RM5,000.
Many of these placements are in specialised industries such as aerospace and transportation, sectors that value the technical skills and discipline gained through military service.
The government hopes that with stronger cooperation between public institutions and private companies, the programme will continue to expand opportunities for veterans while strengthening Malaysia’s workforce.
-wilayah.com.my
