Malaysian Armed Forces plans special-needs child centres at major military camps

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) plans to set up Community Rehabilitation Centres (PPDK) at major military bases to support families of personnel caring for children with special needs. Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman announced this initiative, stating that MAF prioritises the welfare of its personnel and their families.

These centres aim to provide peace of mind for affected families, allowing them to concentrate on their duties without concern for their loved ones' safety. The PPDKs will be established at every major camp, ensuring proper care for children with special needs. Additionally, MAF is carrying out 898 maintenance projects, involving 15,024 Armed Forces Family Housing (RKAT) units, to improve living conditions for security force personnel.

These projects, funded under a P60 allocation, will also enhance the socio-economic status of soldiers' wives through income-generating initiatives like mushroom cultivation and vegetable farming. Malek Razak emphasized that all these welfare plans aim to create a comfortable working environment for MAF personnel, echoing the theme of the MAF's 93rd anniversary celebration: "Ketahanan ATM, Benteng Pertahanan Negara" (MAF Resilience, Bastion of National Defence).