KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is committed to enhancing the well-being of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) personnel, not only by ensuring a comfortable and harmonious living environment, but also by promoting excellence in the education of their children. Its Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin emphasised that the ministry has implemented, and will continue to roll out, initiatives to support this objective, including a free online tuition programme for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates who are children of ATM personnel, in collaboration with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamed Khaled is working to ensure that all SPM candidates who are children of ATM personnel receive a Chromebook free of charge. Some Chromebooks have already been distributed to SPM candidates for this session, with the rest to be provided shortly. Furthermore, to ensure the smooth running of the online tuition programme and learning through Chromebooks, MINDE
F has partnered with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Ministry of Communications to improve connectivity. The aim is to provide comprehensive Wi-Fi and internet services across military camps.
At the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) Education Excellence Awards (AKP) ceremony held at the Wisma Pertahanan auditorium, Mohamed Khaled announced that MINDEF is also working on a Perajurit Broadband package for all ATM personnel, offering internet services for RM49 per month. He urged the children of ATM personnel to uphold the dignity and reputation of their parents and the entire armed forces community, emphasizing the importance of good values, maturity, and exemplary discipline.
Mohamed Khaled encouraged the children of ATM personnel to pursue their chosen careers with passion and enthusiasm, viewing higher education as a time to develop personal character, adulthood, and maturity. The goal is not only to produce knowledgeable individuals but to shape well-rounded personalities
who become mature, resilient adults.
During the event, Mohamed Khaled presented awards to 113 outstanding students from the Central Zone for their excellent achievements in the 2023 SPM exams. Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari; Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman; Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain; Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Gen Tan Sri Mohd Ashgar Khan Goriman Khan, and LTAT (Armed Forces Fund Board) chairman Gen Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin. A total of 295 students from across the country will be honoured at separate ceremonies later.
LTAT Foundation chief executive Datuk Dr Mohamad Nizar Sudin disclosed that among the 295 recipients, three students obtained 11As, 13 students achieved 10As, 37 students received 9As, 50 students earned 8As, 49 students got 7As, 60 students received 6As, and 83 students achieved 5As in their 2023 SPM results.
MINDEF, in a statement, said that the AKP-ATM ceremony, held annually since 1991, is an i
nitiative managed by MINDEF, the ATM Department of Education (JAP), and the LTAT Foundation. Since 1991, LTAT Foundation, formerly known as Yayasan Warisan Perajurit, has provided grants and bursaries to more than 14,000 children of ATM personnel, with a total allocation of RM12 million.