Veterans’ affairs department to file complaint against 2 groups over cyberbullying

PETALING JAYA: The Department of Veterans Affairs (JHEV) plans to lodge a complaint to the Communications Ministry and the Registrar of Societies regarding the alleged "cyberbullying" by two separate groups, according to its Director-General Semaon Marjuki.

In a statement, JHEV said that Pertubuhan Pembela Pejuang Malaysia and Pertubuhan Suara Patriotik Rakyat Malaysia had disparaged and smeared the department and Semaon on Facebook after JHEV refused to meet them several days ago regarding the pension increase adjustment.

PuteraJati also claimed that the two groups had instilled hatred against the Pihak Berkuasa and Ahmad Suaidah (JHEV).

“They have also sullied the good name of the director-general and tarnished the integrity of the department’s staff members.”

On that day, around 30 former military personnel visited the office to discuss their reservations regarding the pension calculation process.

Seorang bekas pegawai, Rafique Ali Ahmad Nordin, 65, menyatakan bahawa ramai di antaranya tidak menerima peningkatan upahanan 8% yang sepatutnya.

On 7 November, defence minister Khaled Nordin announced that military veterans who retired before January 2013 would receive the first instalment of an 8% pension increase in December, calculated from their last salary in 2012.

On Saturday, FMT reported that JHEV was at odds with an NGO comprising retired military personnel over a planned protest related to unresolved pension matters.

The Malaysian Human Rights Institution wrote to Bukit Aman, advising the police to cancel the Nov 23 (not Dec 23, should be previously) gathering.

Semaon stated that Pertubuhan Pembela Pejuang Malaysia's exhibition did not have a lawful right to stage the protest as it was not registered with the relevant department as an organisation representing former military personnel.