SHAH ALAM, July 29 — Shopping vouchers worth RM200 each under the Jom Shopping Hari Pahlawan programme, with a total allocation of RM1.7 million, began being distributed in stages today, said Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari.
The initiative will benefit approximately 8,391 non-pensioned police and military veterans across Selangor, with distribution expected to be completed by early August at the latest.
"This is part of a new initiative announced under the 2026 Selangor Budget through the Jom Shopping programme in conjunction with Warriors' Day, specifically for non-pensioned military and police veterans. Overall, it involves about 8,300 recipients.
"If the response to this initiative is encouraging, next year we will consider expanding it to cover all veterans, numbering about 22,700. I do not think that number is particularly large because during every festive season we provide assistance to around 60,000 to 70,000 recipients.
"Therefore, we will assess its suitability as well as the state's financial capacity. The list of recipients was obtained from the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Affairs Department, which identified non-pensioned veterans.
"This assistance is targeted at those who are genuinely in need," he said after officiating the Selangor Warriors' Day Jom Shopping Voucher Assistance Programme 2026 at the State Secretariat Building today.
Earlier, Amirudin, accompanied by state executive councillor for human resources and poverty eradication Papparaidu Veraman as well as state executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi, presented the vouchers to veterans from the Sungai Tua, Kota Anggerik, and Banting state constituencies.
During the tabling of the 2026 Selangor Budget in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly last year, he announced that non-pensioned police and military veterans in Selangor would receive Jom Shopping vouchers by July 31 this year.
The new initiative was introduced as a token of appreciation from the state government for the services and sacrifices of the nation's heroes.
Meanwhile, Papparaidu said that the vouchers were one of the state government's initiatives to recognise the veterans' contributions in safeguarding the country's peace, sovereignty, and well-being.
"Although this contribution cannot fully repay the sacrifices they have made, it symbolises the state government's continued commitment to safeguarding the welfare of our veterans.
"This programme also reflects its commitment to strengthening its welfare agenda, particularly for those who have contributed so much," he said in his speech.
At the event, Saifuddin Harun, 77, expressed his gratitude for the vouchers, describing them as evidence of the state government's concern for non-pensioned military and police veterans.
"These vouchers will help reduce our daily expenses, especially for those of us who do not have a fixed income.
"I hope assistance like this will continue and be enhanced in the future for the welfare of non-pensioned veterans," he said.
Similarly, A. Ganesan, 70, said the inaugural voucher distribution is especially meaningful and brought joy to non-pensioned veterans.
"The vouchers can be used to purchase household necessities, helping to reduce our daily expenses.
"We are getting older, and our children have families of their own. Now only my wife and I live at home, so this assistance greatly eases our living costs," he said.
