Nine Malaysian military personnel are undergoing a year-long train operations training programme in China, sponsored by Yayasan Pahang, for future roles on the East Coast Rail Link.
KOTA BHARU: The Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT) has sent nine military personnel to China for specialised train operations training.
The participants, aged between 40 and 42, are undergoing a year-long programme at the Liuzhou Railway Vocational Technical College in Guangxi, China, which began in September.
Datuk Amir Md Noor, PERHEBAT’s director-general, said all participants from Pahang received full sponsorship from Yayasan Pahang, involving an allocation of RM35,000 per person.
“This strategic collaboration involves PERHEBAT, China Communications Construction Company (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (CCCC), Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL), Yayasan Pahang, UCYP University, and Akademi Rel Pahang to empower the socioeconomics of future retirees and veterans,” he said.
He told reporters that the nine members were sent as a pilot group and would be offered jobs by CCCC to operate the ECRL trains upon successful completion of their training, with further opportunities from MRL.
Amir was speaking at the MADANI Adopted School Contribution Handover Ceremony to Sekolah Kebangsaan Desa Pahlawan here.
Commenting on the education initiative, Amir said PERHEBAT has allocated nearly RM200,000 this year for the MADANI Adopt-a-School programme.
The programme involves SK Desa Pahlawan and SK Riam Batu 2 in Miri, Sarawak, providing digital learning platforms and technical devices.
He said the contribution should be expanded to rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak to improve learning effectiveness.
Meanwhile, Amir said PERHEBAT trains approximately 6,000 trainees annually at its 18 training centres, with four intakes per year.
The corporation offers six training cores, including on-the-job training, industrial training, and technical and vocational education for entrepreneurship.
“This training provides new skills to members, including veterans after retirement, thus helping them generate income to support their families,” he added.
He said the effort aligns with the Defence Ministry’s goal to ensure military retirees have an income source after their service ends.
PERHEBAT is also actively collaborating with various agencies, including Weststar, for job placement opportunities.
