Ex-servicemen Showcase Entrepreneurial Spirit

A Legacy of Service

About 5,000 to 6,300 armed-forces personnel conclude their service every year, with 75% of them aged between 33 and 42 – a highly productive and capable age group. Considering they have dedicated at least 15 years of their lives to safeguarding the security and sovereignty of the nation, it is only fair that they are given the support and skills to continue their lives in a manner befitting their sacrifices.

The Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation

The Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (Perhebat), established in 1994, plays a proactive role in connecting military veterans with second-career opportunities and ensuring their socioeconomic wellbeing after they transition to civilian life. Thanks to the corporation’s skills development programmes and guidance, most armed-forces veterans today are able to sustain their livelihoods in a systematic and assured manner.

From Air Force to Laundry Shop

After dedicating 26 years to serving in the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), former Air Warrant Officer 1 Mohd Rizal Mohd Rajab now runs a shop in Chemor offering laundry services. His shop, Loadmaster Laundry, provides ironing, dry cleaning and aqua-wash services, as well as cleaning services for mattresses, surau and mosque carpets, sofas, car seats, and all types of uniforms.

Mohd Rizal underwent an 18-month course with Perhebat to learn all aspects of managing a laundry business. The 50-year-old said he had faced great challenges when he first ventured into the business. “When I set out to open my shop in 2020, the nation was hit by Covid-19. Many government agencies were closed, and finding a suitable shop was tough,” he recalled.

Nadi Furniture Interior Design

Unlike Mohd Rizal, who had a clear direction after retirement, Hasrul Affendi Norizan found himself searching for a field that suited him. The 44-year-old owner of Nadi Furniture Interior Design served 21 years in the army as a member of the Ranger Regiment. “I only started thinking about the carpentry business during my last six months before retiring,” he said, adding that today, he has no regrets venturing into furniture making.

Hasrul attended a six-month course conducted by Perhebat where he learnt to create sketches and, eventually, how to cut wood. Before officially starting his business, he experimented by building a kitchen cabinet for his home in 2021. “When I asked my family if the cabinet was OK, they gave positive feedback. Then, in 2022, my younger sister asked me to make a TV cabinet. Initially, I hesitated because it involved payment. After discussing it with my wife, I gathered the courage and accepted the order,” he shared.

Kedai Basikal Ismail

Ismail Yaacob, who retired in January 2006 after serving in the army’s Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps for 22 years, ventured into the bicycle-repair business nearly two decades ago. “Initially, my plan was to open a mini market, so in the six months leading to my retirement, I joined a retail course offered by Perhebat,” the 59-year-old recalled.

Conclusion

The stories of Mohd Rizal, Hasrul, and Ismail demonstrate the entrepreneurial spirit of ex-servicemen and their ability to adapt to new challenges. With the support of Perhebat, they have been able to transition into successful business ventures, contributing to the socioeconomic development of their communities.

FAQs

* What is Perhebat?
Perhebat is the Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation, established in 1994 to connect military veterans with second-career opportunities and ensure their socioeconomic wellbeing after they transition to civilian life.
* What kind of courses does Perhebat offer?
Perhebat offers various skills development programmes and courses, including laundry business management, carpentry, and retail management.
* How can ex-servicemen benefit from Perhebat?
Ex-servicemen can benefit from Perhebat by accessing skills development programmes, grants, and guidance to help them transition into successful business ventures or second careers.
* What kind of businesses have ex-servicemen started through Perhebat?
Ex-servicemen have started various businesses, including laundry services, furniture interior design, and bicycle repair.