The security of a country and safety of its citizens are important in cultivating a stable environment, allowing the country to develop and thrive economically.
The Malaysian Armed Forces’ main role is to maintain peace and be prepared for any armed conflict, in order to effectively defend the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and other national interests against external threats.
Tasked with the duty of supporting the missions of the Malaysian Armed Forces, officers and members of the army are involved in training and equipment preparation, understanding and developing warfare strategies and enhancing border security.
What’s The Salary Of A Soldier
The salary for soldiers in the Malaysian Army varies according to their position and qualifications. According to the Malaysian Armed Forces website, the starting salary for a soldier in an entry-level position ranges from around RM 1,136 to RM 5,474.
Throughout their careers, soldiers are able to take up additional courses and work their way up to higher ranks. In Malaysia, soldiers serve the government and are entitled to a range of benefits and retirement funds in return for their service.
Applying To Be A Soldier
You need to be a Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above to apply to be a soldier. The minimum eligibility requirements to become an officer is obtaining a credit for the Malay language subject and passing Mathematics, Science and English subjects in the Malaysian Certificate of Education, also known as the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
Applicants also need to fulfil health and physical requirements such as meeting the minimum height and weight requirements. For example, male candidates need to have a minimum height of 162cm, and female candidates need to be at least 157cm tall. Applicants with past criminal records are not eligible to join the armed forces.
If you fulfil the conditions mentioned, you can check for openings and submit an application to join the army through the ‘Jom Masuk Tentera website.
Should you be accepted, you will have to undergo and pass a six-month training course after which you will be able to join the army.
Benefits Of Joining The Army
Officers in the Malaysian Army are entitled to benefits and assistance in housing, education and health services.
As a soldier, you can live in single barracks or family housing with your family. Soldiers enjoy free medical treatments and ward stays at public hospitals. You will be entitled to group insurance coverage as well.
Soldiers who want to further their education are given the opportunity to study locally or abroad. Some of these benefits are extended to family members. Children of officers who achieve excellent results in their academic studies will receive incentives and family members are also privy to free medical treatment.
There is also a death incentive of RM3,000 in the event that a soldier had perished. Soldiers are also entitled to certain allowances depending on your position. For example, soldiers receive travel and living expenses and a special incentive of RM200 per month.
Officers also receive unform allowances to maintain their ceremonial uniform worth RM1,500 every three years and their officer clothing worth RM500 every year.
Other perks of being in the army include discounts on public transportation fares and membership in recreation clubs.
Retiring In The Malaysian Armed Forces
Depending on the position, the compulsory retirement ages for military officers range from 50 to 60 years old. Soldiers in the Malaysian Army who reach the compulsory retirement age or with over 20 years of service are eligible for pension or other retirement benefits.
Eligible soldiers receive a monthly pension that equates to a portion of the last drawn salary salary. The pension payments will continue until the soldier passes away. Eligible family members can make a request to have the pension payments transferred to them after a soldier passed away.
For permanent commissioned officers, the following formula will be used for calculating the monthly pension.
1/600 x Number of completed months of service recognized x Final salary = Service pension
On the other hand, for short-term commissioned officers, the monthly pension will be calculated based on the following formula.
3/4 x 1/600 x Number of completed months of service recognized x Final salary = Service pension
Retired soldiers will also receive service gratuity, a one-off lump sum payment at the completion of service.
Members of the army who contributed to the Armed Forces Fund Board otherwise known as Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) will receive their contributions at retirement. The Armed Forces Fund Board is a retirement savings scheme for soldiers. Permanent officers, who are commissioned after year 2016, are required to make mandatory contributions of 10% of their monthly salary. The government will also make a 15% contribution of members’ salary to the members’ account.
Members can use a part of the savings for certain purposes like buying their first home. Upon retirement or end of service, members can withdraw their savings from the Armed Forces Fund Board to sustain their retirement life.
To help retired soldiers adapt to post service life, they are also offered resettlement training for up to 18 months that covers various industries including management, media, hospitality, engineering and construction.
Read Also: Salary Guide For Public Hospital Doctors In Malaysia
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