Announcing this today, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the move involved an allocation of RM58.89 million, in line with the government’s decision to improve the Armed Forces Trade and Band System.

In addition, the salary revision would also benefit 19,436 LLP veterans whose service ended or will end from January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016, and who will get a one-off payment, totalling RM56.62 million.

Hishammuddin said the revision would not only benefit the personnel in terms of salary but also recognise their expertise.

“It would indirectly recognise all LLP trades as highly qualified,” he said in his 2016 New Year message at Wisma Perkasa, here today.

Under the Armed Forces’ trade and band system, the salaries of the personnel are in five band levels, depending on their skills.

In a separate development, Hishammuddin stressed that Barisan Nasional would be further strengthened in the coming Sarawak state election expected in April.

– BERNAMA