340 students receive MAF awards for outstanding academic achievement

KUALA LUMPUR - A total of 340 students received the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Education Excellence Awards (AKP) for the Institutions of Higher Learning (IPTA) category and the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination for their outstanding academic achievements.

The Defence Ministry (Mindef) said the MAF AKP was presented by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan at Dewan Perdana Felda here today.

"This MAF AKP is one of the contributions fully sponsored by the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) as a sign of appreciation to MAF personnel and veterans as well as their family members, besides being a catalyst to motivate the MAF personnel to improve their children's academic achievements.

"For the IPTA category, 65 students received RM1,000, which will be credited to their National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) Prime account and a total of 275 students from the SPM category received RM1,500, which will also be credited to their SSPN Prime account,” it said in a statement today.

It hoped that the recognition given could serve as an example and inspiration to the other children of MAF personnel.

According to Mindef, the LTAT has provided grants and scholarships to over 14,000 children of MAF personnel with an allocation of RM12 million annually since 1991.

Meanwhile, Mohamad also presented the Defence Minister's Icon Awards to Nik Noriqmal Nassim Nik Azlan and Ameera Hannan Muhammad Habib as special awards for their highest achievements in various areas, including academics, co-curricular activities and leadership.

"The Defence Ministry also received a mock cheque of RM250,000 as a donation from Iltizam by Ekuinas for the 'Sentuhan Elit SPM 2023’ programme, as a sign of support for SPM students studying in military secondary schools in preparation for the upcoming SPM examination," it added.

The various initiatives provided serve as a means of support for the children of MAF personnel, not only in academic fields but also in their careers, whether they excel or not.

The event was attended by Ministry of Defence secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman, Army chief General Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, Air Force chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan and LTAT chairman Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor. - BERNAMA