Kuala Lumpur: The Department of Veterans Affairs (JHEV) of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) has settled all payment of death benefits of the commando officer, the late Lt Col Mohd Zahir Armaya to all his eligible next-of-kin.
JHEV director-general Maj Gen Datuk Dzulkarnain Ahmad said the benefits were handed over including to his ex-wife Jamilah Ismail, 38, who is currently supporting the two children of the deceased, Mohamad Remy Iskandar, 9, and Mohamad Ebel Zulkarnain, 10.
He said Jamilah received a one off payment of Reward Issue and Leave Replacement Benefit (FGCR) amounting to RM32,923 made in October last year.
“His ex-wife wife also received a monthly payment of Pension Issue, Dependent’s Pension and Dependent’s Ex Gratia (EXOT) of RM 1,663.43 starting November 2019,” he told reporters at the JHEV special press conference, here.
He said JHEV and the Ministry of Defence took seriously a statement saying that the two children of the deceased were neglected and did not get due attention from the MAF as published in the press Thursday.
“JHEV and MAF always endeavour to fulfill the rights of every level of MAF veteran or their dependents for MAF personnel who have ended their services, retired or passed away based on the existing regulations,’’ he said.
Mohd Zahir, 36, a commando officer from 11 Regiment Gerak Khas, died on Sept 4, 2019 after being shot during a demonstration in conjunction with the launch of the Fifth Division and the 13th Malaysian Infantry Brigade at Lok Kawi Camp, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Meanwhile, the MAF Records and Pension Department director-general Maj Gen Datuk Nazri Abu Bakar said there was no need for the department to discuss with the late Lt Col Mohd Zahir’s father Armaya Aman Ramlie, 71, or A.R. Badul on the dispute over the distribution of death benefits as well as gifts from other individuals as well as the deceased’s insurance
“In terms of payment of the deceased’s death benefit, that is based on the rules (set by the MAF).
“If it means gifts or gifts from individuals and insurance, the matter is also not discussed because it is outside the jurisdiction of the MAF ... it needs to be discussed with the family,” he said.
A.R Badul was previously reported to have said that he was claiming his rights after the death of the deceased as he was concerned about the condition of his grandchildren and claimed that the MAF and his late son’s widow did not contact him.
Dzulkarnain said apart from Jamilah, also receiving the death benefit of the late Lt Col Mohd Zahir were his mother Rusunjan Mohamad and his widow Nour Shafinar Harun.
“Rusunjan received a one off payment of Reward Issue amounting to RM 16,029 last March and monthly payment of Pension Issue and Dependent’s Pension amounting to RM 1,253 from April 2020.
“Nour Shafinar received a one off payment of Reward Issue and FGCR amounting to RM 91,983.73 in October last year and monthly payment of Pension Issue, Dependent’s Pension and EXOT amounting to RM 5,416 starting November 2019.
