Govt boosts veterans' economy with PUVET programme in Malaysia
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the programme provides support, including equipment, training, and business capital, to improve competitiveness, with a digital business training programme, soon to be launched in Kelantan being its latest initiative.
'This is a pilot project known as 'Beg Kuning' (Yellow Bag), where selected veteran entrepreneurs will be trained to run digital or online businesses.
'The programme is a collaboration between the Defence Ministry, government-linked companies (GLCs), and several other agencies,' he told reporters in Kampung Lendu here today after meeting veterans under the MADANI Veterans' Care programme, which was also attended by Veterans Affairs Department deputy director-general Sophian Isswandy Ismail.
Adly met 26 veteran families, including widows and entrepreneurs, in Alor Gajah, Melaka and Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan and presented Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medals, assistance, Rahmah baskets, and business support during the programme.
Adly noted that PUVET has received an annual grant of RM1 million since its introduction in 2023 through collaboration with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) under Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW).
'Through the RM1 million grant, selected recipients receive in-kind grants worth around RM5,000, including fish feed, seeds, equipment, and basic business machines,' he shared.
He said that nearly 70 per cent of the approximately 5,000 retired veterans have chosen to venture into entrepreneurship, and programmes like PUVET are essential in providing comprehensive support for this group.
'Through comprehensive initiatives like PUVET, we not only help veterans become self-reliant but also strengthen their role as contributors to national economic development,' he added. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
2 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Small trader, big dream: World Cup beckons
PARIT - Being a person with disabilities (PWD) has never been a reason for this young man to give up, as long as he still has the strength to carry on. Despite having lost his right leg below the knee in an accident some time ago, 33-year-old Muhammad Irwani Mohd Amirsirifudin from Kampung Pulau Padang Bota Kiri refuses to rely solely on government aid or public donations. Nicknamed 'Wan Sekerat' (literally "Half Wan'), Muhammad Irwani remains determined and full of spirit, driven by a strong will to succeed in life each day. - Bernama photo Nicknamed 'Wan Sekerat' (literally "Half Wan'), Muhammad Irwani remains determined and full of spirit, driven by a strong will to succeed in life each day. The seventh of ten siblings, he took the initiative to earn a living by selling fruits from his three-wheeled motorcycle around Bota, near Parit, stopping at popular eateries frequented by the public. "As long as I'm able to move, I'll continue to use my strength to earn a living for myself and my family,' Muhammad Irwani told Bernama when met here. Muhammad Irwani said he leaves home in the morning to collect fruits from local suppliers around Bota Kiri and Titi Gantung, before making rounds to popular eateries between 11 am and 2 pm. "Right now, it's mangosteen and rambutan season. The response has been very encouraging-I can sell up to 40 to 50 kilogrammes (kg) a day, with mangosteens priced at RM10 per kg and rambutans at RM9,' he said. "I usually stop at eateries during lunchtime, and if there are many buyers, I'll stay for about 10 to 20 minutes at each location,' he told Bernama when met today. Still single, he shared that before selling fruits, he had been selling fish around his village since 2018, before switching to fruits in 2022. "The idea to sell fruits came about after some customers started asking for them while I was still selling fish. Then I noticed the potential from the crowd at food stalls,' he said. "Usually, the people who stop in Bota are from out of town-perhaps on their way to Manjung or elsewhere-so when they see fruits that don't require a knife to peel, they tend to buy them,' said Muhammad Irwani, who earns around RM1,500 a month from selling fruits. Recounting how he lost his right leg in 2015, Muhammad Irwani said it happened while he was on his way back to Bota after a kayaking activity in Pasir Salak. "I was born with a right leg that didn't function properly-it was limp and dangling-so on the way back, I was riding pillion with a friend. Maybe I was tired and didn't realise that my leg had slipped into the rear wheel. "I was admitted to Manjung Hospital, and on the second day there, I asked the doctor to amputate my leg below the knee because it couldn't be saved,' he said. He added that despite the incident, he never lost hope. Instead, it fuelled his determination to keep working and avoid becoming a burden to his family. "If I wanted to, I could just rely on the monthly assistance of RM450 I receive from the Social Welfare Department (JKM), but that's no reason for me to sit at home and do nothing. "As long as I'm still able, I will continue to run my business to supplement my income. We shouldn't let our disabilities become an excuse to be idle,' he said. Speaking about his past experiences, he shared that he had previously worked in various jobs, including at night markets, selling bamboo and ice, as well as doing other odd jobs in the village. Despite his physical limitations, Muhammad Irwani's ambition remains strong-he actively plays football as part of the national amputee football team Harimau Kudung under the Malaysian Amputee Football Association (MAFA). "I've been involved in sports since 2018 and became more active in 2022. I'm currently preparing for the Amputee Football World Cup Qualifiers in Jakarta this November. "People with disabilities are not only capable of being independent but can also contribute meaningfully to society and the nation. Most importantly, never let your limitations become a barrier to success. With effort, prayer, and trust in God, success will come,' he said. - BERNAMA
The Sun
17 hours ago
- The Sun
Govt boosts veterans' economy with PUVET programme in Malaysia
ALOR GAJAH: The government is committed to enhancing the economic well-being of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) veterans through the Veteran Economic Empowerment Programme (PUVET). Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the programme provides support, including equipment, training, and business capital, to improve competitiveness, with a digital business training programme, soon to be launched in Kelantan being its latest initiative. 'This is a pilot project known as 'Beg Kuning' (Yellow Bag), where selected veteran entrepreneurs will be trained to run digital or online businesses. 'The programme is a collaboration between the Defence Ministry, government-linked companies (GLCs), and several other agencies,' he told reporters in Kampung Lendu here today after meeting veterans under the MADANI Veterans' Care programme, which was also attended by Veterans Affairs Department deputy director-general Sophian Isswandy Ismail. Adly met 26 veteran families, including widows and entrepreneurs, in Alor Gajah, Melaka and Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan and presented Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medals, assistance, Rahmah baskets, and business support during the programme. Adly noted that PUVET has received an annual grant of RM1 million since its introduction in 2023 through collaboration with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) under Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW). 'Through the RM1 million grant, selected recipients receive in-kind grants worth around RM5,000, including fish feed, seeds, equipment, and basic business machines,' he shared. He said that nearly 70 per cent of the approximately 5,000 retired veterans have chosen to venture into entrepreneurship, and programmes like PUVET are essential in providing comprehensive support for this group. 'Through comprehensive initiatives like PUVET, we not only help veterans become self-reliant but also strengthen their role as contributors to national economic development,' he added. - Bernama
Sinar Daily
19 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Ahmad's Fried Chicken wants to give choices in local fast food market
Lailatul Sarahjana Mohd Ismail and her husband Mohd Taufik Khairuddin, both 34, had noticed a sudden interest surge in locally-produced products. 12 Jul 2025 05:00pm Founder of Ahmad's Fried Chicken, Mohd Taufik Khairuddin (left), with his wife, who is also the Co-Founder, Lailatul Sarahjana Mohd Ismail. - Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR - When their online bakery business declined during the Covid-19 pandemic, a couple decided to pivot into the "fried chicken' business. Lailatul Sarahjana Mohd Ismail and her husband Mohd Taufik Khairuddin, both 34, had noticed a sudden interest surge in locally-produced products. Ahmad's Fried Chicken operates on a licensing model, with branch opening costs ranging from RM700,000 to RM1 million, depending on size and location. - Photo source: Ahmad Fried Chicken/FB The duo researched its market potential and identified a growing demand for more homegrown fare. "I did some product research and development for three months, while Taufik focused on market research and branding. We started with one stall at Mydin Senawang. We had very good response and decided to open a fast-food restaurant. "That's how Ahmad's Fried Chicken came to be. It was in line with our aspiration to create a Malaysian product we can be proud of. We named it after my husband's nickname, given by his father, which also reflects a local identity,' she told Bernama recently. Lailatul Sarahjana, who worked in the banking sector previously, said the transition to the fast-food industry was not easy, but past experience helped significantly in terms of management and automation. To ensure consistent flavour, the couple sought advice from food and beverage (F&B) industry experts and conducted various studies before finalising their fried chicken recipe. Ahmad's Fried Chicken is competitively priced against international brands. "The recipe and flour mix were developed in-house to maintain quality control. The international brands are our main challenge. They have the advantage in terms of supply chains and contract farming,' said Lailatul Sarahjana, who is from Teluk Intan, Perak. She said Ahmad's Fried Chicken operates on a licensing model, with branch opening costs ranging from RM700,000 to RM1 million, depending on size and location. So far, 38 outlets have been established nationwide, including restaurants and mini-restaurants, with a target of 66 outlets by the end of 2025. "We are opening outlets cautiously with a focus on urban areas first because all raw materials, including chicken, must be supplied from our headquarters in Puchong,' she said. Lailatul Sarahjana added that they are actively seeking strategic partners among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to accelerate branch expansion. "We need 10 more SME partners to meet our target for this year. So far, more than 1,000 applications have been received and are currently being evaluated,' she said. On the boycott of international brands, Lailatul Sarahjana said establishing Ahmad's Fried Chicken was not reactionary. Their am was to have a local alternative that could compete in terms of quality. "We are not competing aggressively, but we want to offer choices in terms of taste, portion size, and meals that are tailored to local preferences. The boycott issue might have attracted attention, but in the end, it is the quality that determines success,' she said. On whether Ahmad's Fried Chicken plans to become a franchisor, she said the brand has not reached the required three-year mark. "We are in discussions with Perbadanan Nasional Bhd for guidance currently to set up a franchise. Our goal is to enter international markets such as Saudi Arabia and the United States,' she said. - BERNAMA More Like This
