Defence Ministry aims to refurbish 6,000 military housing units

SIBU (Jan 3): A total of 6,000 units of dilapidated Rumah Keluarga Angkatan Tentera (RKAT) nationwide will be refurbished, with an allocation of RM152 million this year.

"We hope to restore 6,000 units of dilapidated RKAT, as the government want to provide a better living condition for soldiers and their family. Members of the armed forces usually will be away for between one and three months conducting operations. We are not only concerned about their welfare, but also their living conditions," said Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong today, as reported by The Star.

Last year, a total of 1,926 houses in poor conditions were restored at a cost of RM50 million.

Liew, who is also Kluang MP, pointed out that the refurbishment exercise would be focused on Sabah and Sarawak, where the latter has a total of 2,225 units of RKAT between 30 and 40 years old in need of restoration.

"In the context of defence, these two regions are very important for us," he stressed.

He believes the working spirit of the military members would be uplifted if they do not have to worry about their housing condition.