Currently, those in the armed forces may retire voluntarily after 12, 15 or 18 years of service without pension.

Cuepacs president Adnan Mat said the move would help to solve issues involving the welfare of former servicemen, including claims that they were marginalised and neglected, with no savings after retirement.

“It will partly solve the problems of the retirees by giving them a pension. Whether the amount is large or small will depend on their rank,” he told FMT.

“Now, they are suffering, so much so that their veterans’ welfare association has to bring up the same issues every year.”

Adnan was commenting on a proposal by a member of the armed forces that they should be allowed to retire only after 21 years of service to enable them to enjoy a pension.

He said a number of former servicemen had financial difficulties and fell in the B40 group.

Many could not find steady employment, he said, and there were some who suffered losses after going into new fields such as business.

Adnan also said the proposal would allow armed forces personnel to “exploit their skills optimally in helping the government safeguard peace and security”.

“Their skills can be utilised to train new members before they retire,” he said.

Defence minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had previously commented on a similar proposal, saying it would involve amendments to the Armed Forces Act 1972 to include provisions relating to pensions and rewards.

He had said that currently, all armed forces personnel had an option to retire after 12, 15 or 18 years without pension.

Adnan also proposed that salaries for armed forces personnel be placed on par with those in the police force and in the civil service.