KUCHING: The Malaysia Armed Forces Ex-Service Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT) brought its nationwide veteran-empowerment programme to Sarawak for the first time, awarding business grants to seven veteran entrepreneurs and unveiling a 10-year transformation plan, aiming to deepen collaboration with the state’s strategic industries.
According to the PERHEBAT Chairperson, Prof. Emerita Datuk Dr Roziah Omar, the PERHEBAT Transformation Plan 2026-2035 will widen partnerships with about 200 public and private agencies across high-growth, high-value sectors, ranging from energy transition and oil and gas to E&E, modern agriculture and SMEs, to open more quality jobs and business pathways for veterans in Sarawak.
“These industry-driven initiatives broaden access and options for veterans to enter higher-income sectors that match their experience and expertise,” she said after officiating at the ‘Program Pemerkasaan Usahawan Veteran ATM’ (PUVET ATM) Sarawak edition at Grand Margherita Hotel here on Thursday.
PUVET ATM, launched nationally by the Prime Minister in July 2023, serves as a one-stop facilitator that links veterans to entrepreneurship incentives, expert advisory, facilities, grants and training, delivered by federal and state agencies as well as the private sector.
Since its inception, 232 veterans have received rural entrepreneurship strengthening grants totalling RM1.176 million; in Kuching, seven Sarawak veteran entrepreneurs received RM42,000 in grants under the Sokongan Pengukuhan Keusahawanan Luar Bandar (SPKLB) scheme.  
Roziah said one of the plan’s core pillars is the ‘Second Career for Warriors’ programme, which aims to tie up with 200 agencies to offer over 3,000 job opportunities with a minimum income of RM2,200 for retiring personnel and veterans, outlining the newly announced transformation roadmap.
Another flagship, Hebat E-Co, will help veterans build group-based enterprises in the agri-food sector through R&D support from public universities and strategic linkages with government agencies and anchor companies.
“These benefits will be felt nationwide, including in Sarawak, and align with the state’s development agenda,” she added, referencing Sarawak’s 13th Malaysia Plan thrusts and the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. 
The Sarawak edition of PUVET added on-the-ground components: knowledge-sharing by government and private agencies, digital marketing coaching by INSKEN, and industry visits with state partners to help veterans test ideas and refine business plans.
Roziah urged veterans to stay alert to the incentives available from the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry, MARA, the Economy Ministry, and Sarawak agencies.
“We want no veteran left behind in accessing the entrepreneurship support provided by the MADANI government and the Sarawak government,” she said. 
Meanwhile, according to the PERHEBAT’s Director-General, Datuk Ts. Amir Md Noor, the organisation’s stronger presence in the labour market will unlock “more skills-to-jobs matching” for members transitioning to a second career.
The 10-year plan is structured in three phases: capacity building (2026-2029), commercialisation and high-value industry empowerment (2030-2032), and excellence and sustainability (2033–2035), under four strategic pillars that include career-market acceleration, sustainable community economy, access and digitalisation, and policy/governance strengthening. 
Furthermore, PERHEBAT stressed that the Sarawak push is about both jobs and entrepreneurship.
“We are expanding cooperation with Sarawak’s strategic industries to provide high-value opportunities for prospective retirees and veterans, in line with the state’s move toward a resilient, high-income economy by 2030,” Roziah said.
