The recently announced additional allocation of RM200 million to repair and maintain Malaysian Armed Forces' (ATM) quarters will help raise the quality and comfort of life for its personnel.
A Malaysian Army officer, Lt Kol Mohd Riduan Yusoff, who has been living for almost nine years at such quarters in the capital city, echoed this sentiment when he spoke to Bernama today.
"The repair and maintenance of these homes will be a comfort, especially in raising the quality of life for personnel and their families.
"This will raise morale and help in the aspect of the welfare of personnel,” he said, adding that repairs were carried out immediately if there was any damage to quarters, but there were difficulties due to financial constraints.
“So far, maintenance work for the quarters has been carried out completely, but everything depends on the financial aspect...so priority is given to critical repair work," he said.
Mohd Riduan also said that armed forces personnel need to be inculcated with a sense of cleanliness as it would reduce wear and tear to the quarters.
Meanwhile, Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) officer, Lt Cmdr Salina Johari said the allocation can be used to maintain the lifts as well as to address the constant water supply problem at their quarters.
"When life is comfortable, our children are guaranteed comfort and safety," the mother of five said, adding that attention should be given to quarters of low-ranking members because they required greater maintenance.
"I once visited a personnel’s home and saw how dilapidated the kitchen and toilet were… these need to be maintained for their comfort," she said.
Company Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer II Mohd Hairul P. Ramly concurred with Salina, pointing out that attention should be given to repair of lifts, pipes and drains.
Although maintenance works are often carried out, certain repairs to facilities were unable to be carried out, and there were some cases of improper maintenance due to a lack of funds, Mohd Hairul shared.
"This provision will provide comfort to my family and I, and we are grateful for the government's concern," he said.
On July 7, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional RM200 million allocation to repair and maintain ATM quarters nationwide.
He is reported to have said that the government approved this provision after seeing the condition of military housing, which was in a very bad state and had been neglected for a long time.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency