PONTIAN, June 23 — The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) intends to build more new housing units as well as carry out repair works of Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) veterans’ residential units from time to time.

Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said as of June, 43 applications for the construction of residential units under the ATM Veteran Housing initiative had been approved compared with the initial target of 40 units this year.

“In June alone, we have reached the approval target, we hope to be able to complete the 43 units, as well as repair works on 169 housing units nationwide.

“Last year, there were 25 units, this year we have increased (the number)... so we at the ministry level will evaluate it from time to time,” he told reporters at a press conference after the state-level ATM Veteran Housing initiative’s key handover ceremony in Kampung Ayer Baloi, today.

In another development, the Member of Parliament of Alor Gajah expressed hope that the veterans can update their data and personal information through the Veteran Integrated Benefit System (Vibes) 2.0 portal to facilitate delivering services to them and their dependents.

“We have launched Vibes 2.0 this week, where the focus of this system is to ensure that our veterans can complete their current information online because we need this current data for welfare programmes, health education and many more.

“I hope veterans nationwide can provide up-to-date information so that we can monitor welfare aspects and the latest information including entrepreneurship from time to time,” said Adly.

Vibes 2.0, launched on June 22, is part of the effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the ATM Veteran Affairs Department (JHEV) delivery service to its members and their dependents.

All information on various facilities, including retirement benefit applications and payments, welfare assistance, medical claims, burial aid, house repairs, and other assistance announced by the government from time to time as well as veteran association management, can also be found in the system. — Bernama