By Saiful Bahri Kamaruddin
Pix: Jamaluddin Ibrahim (FTSM Photographer)

SUNGAI BULOH, SELANGOR, 17 Dec 2015 – The National University of Malaysia (UKM) is preparing a database system for the Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT) so that it can be better organised and managed more easily.

The database, established at a cost of RM40,000, collects information on the trainees and former trainees of PERHEBAT for the purpose of tracking their progress after completion of training, UKM Deputy Vice-Chancellor  (Industry and Community Partnership) Prof Dr Imran Ho Abdullah.

“If PERHEBAT was to go to the private sector, the average cost would usually be RM150,000. However, for us, this is a socio-economic and community service. This is how we give back to those who are ready to lay down their lives for the sake of the country,” said Prof Imran.

“The database has already been established with UKM expertise at the  Bangi campus by a team of postgraduate students of the Faculty of Information Science and Technology. They will also train PERHEBAT staff on the operation and management of data needed,” he said.

Prof Imran was speaking before the ceremony of the exchange of documents of a  memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UKM and PERHEBAT on the system today, and the corporation’s convocation ceremony officiated by Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein at the Sungai Buloh Army Camp.

Also present was FTSM dean Prof Dr Abdullah Mohd Zin.

At a press conference later, PERHEBAT Chairman Lieutenant General Dato’ Sri Abdul Aziz Ibrahim said the organisation, which is wholly-owned by the Army Forces Fund Board (LTAT), needs its own information system.

“Right now PERHEBAT still shares a database with the Association of Armed Forces Veterans (PVATM). This situation makes it difficult for us to keep track of personnel  because of too much overlapping of  information between both organisations.

“So we asked UKM for help to establish a specialized system unique to  PERHEBAT to collect information about the trainees and keep track of them after they leave to find jobs,” he said.

A total of 682 trainees who completed the training of between 6 to 18 months,  received their certificates from Datuk Seri Hishamuddin.