Hire ex-servicemen in tourism sector, says Osman
Published on: Monday, July 22, 2019
By: Lagatah Toyos
TAWAU: Balung Assemblyman Datuk Osman Jamal proposed that tourism players, particularly in the east coast engaged the services of ex-servicemen who are healthy enough to work in the sector and ensure the safety of tourists.
He said veterans aged 40 to 50 have vast experience and have the expertise in security that would definitely be required in order to improve the safety aspects of domestic and foreign tourists.
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He described the deaths of the two Chinese tourists and a dive instructor who were killed by fish blasting off Pulau Kalapuan as something that is due to the lack of attention given to safety aspects.
Osman believes that ex-servicemen who are exposed to security issues will not endanger tourists under their care and will not bring tourists to locations which has risks.
In this regard, he said he will propose this matter to the relevant ministries’ attention, especially in the east coast which is bordered by neighbouring countries where security issues cannot be compromised.
At the same time, he said, these veterans need to be provided capacity building courses on the needs and skills of the tourism sector to ensure efficient work.
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He said this to the media after officiating the Malaysian Armed Forces Veteran Association (PVATM) Tawau Branch Annual General Meeting at KD Sri Tawau, here, Saturday.
Also present were Sabah PVATM Head, Marshid Salleh and Tawau PVATM Branch Chief, Bakri Jamal.
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Osman who is also PVATM Tawau Branch Patron hopes the welfare of veterans regardless of rank can be taken into account, particularly where rate of pension is concerned following review on military salaries being tabled at Parliament.
“Some of these veterans received RM300 monthly pensions and through the review on military salaries, we hope the pension payment for them will also be raised like the salaries of soldiers who are still in service,” he said.
Meanwhile, Marshid welcomed Osman’s suggestion to help the 13,000 association members across Sabah, especially those who are in need of a job to support their family.
He said every year, about 300 officers and personnel retire at the age of 40 and above after serving 21 years, adding that many are still young and healthy and can be absorbed into any position in the tourism sector.
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