The Armed Forces Veterans Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT) and the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN) have unveiled an ambitious collaboration aimed at converting military veterans into thriving entrepreneurs through the ATM Veteran Entrepreneur Empowerment Program (PUVET ATM) Master Class. Unveiled in Petaling Jaya on June 15, the pilot initiative represents a significant shift in how Malaysia nurtures veteran entrepreneurship, moving beyond traditional classroom instruction toward real-world business mentorship and performance tracking.
The programme targets 180 small traders and micro entrepreneurs drawn from the armed forces veteran community, positioning them to substantially amplify their commercial ventures and market presence. According to Datuk Amir Md Noor, PERHEBAT's director-general, the overarching objective extends beyond incremental business improvement; the organisations explicitly seek to cultivate a new generation of millionaire entrepreneurs within the veteran population. This ambition reflects growing recognition that Malaysia's defence force retirees represent an underutilised economic resource with untapped entrepreneurial potential.
The collaboration between PERHEBAT and INSKEN marks a strategic departure from previous approaches to veteran economic empowerment. Rather than relying solely on theoretical business education delivered in classroom settings, the Master Class combines intensive practical training with individualised coaching spanning three months. This extended engagement period allows certified industry trainers to guide participants through the complexities of modern business operations, from sales strategy refinement to market positioning and financial management.
Amir emphasised that INSKEN's selection as implementing partner reflected the institute's proven capability in fieldwork monitoring and performance validation. Unlike traditional training models that conclude with certification, this programme integrates ongoing field-based assessment of business metrics and entrepreneurial progress. The emphasis on real-time performance evaluation creates accountability mechanisms that translate theoretical knowledge into measurable commercial outcomes, addressing a persistent gap in veteran entrepreneurship schemes across Southeast Asia.
The PUVET ATM initiative also carries deliberate policy dimensions regarding Bumiputera economic participation. By channelling support specifically toward veteran entrepreneurs, the programme strengthens indigenous business ownership in the market while leveraging a demographic group already accustomed to discipline, leadership structures, and mission-oriented execution. This targeting creates synergies between national equity objectives and veteran welfare considerations.
Since launching the broader ATM PUVET initiative in 2023, the programme has already demonstrated tangible results. A total of 313 veterans nationwide have accessed funding through the Rural Entrepreneurship Strengthening Support Grant (SPKLB), receiving RM1.6 million in collective financial support. This injection of capital, facilitated through cooperation between PERHEBAT, the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), and MARA, has already begun creating entrepreneurial pathways in rural communities where veteran populations often concentrate.
The funding mechanism reflects Malaysia's multi-agency approach to veteran economic integration. Rather than operating as an isolated programme, PUVET ATM functions within a broader ecosystem encompassing government ministries, state development agencies, and institutional partners. This interconnected structure increases resource availability and ensures programme participants access diverse support mechanisms, from seed capital to business registration assistance and market linkage opportunities.
Beyond entrepreneurship specifically, PERHEBAT's wider transformation agenda reveals substantial employment generation momentum. Through May of the current year, the organisation had successfully facilitated 1,224 job placements for veterans, with 631 individuals securing positions in high-performance economic sectors offering monthly salaries ranging from RM2,500 to RM5,000. These figures indicate that Malaysian defence force retirees are increasingly finding meaningful economic engagement opportunities, whether through employment or business ownership pathways.
The PERHEBAT Transformation Plan spanning 2026 to 2035 positions veteran economic empowerment as a long-term national priority. The Master Class pilot should be understood within this extended framework, where entrepreneurship development represents one component of comprehensive veteran welfare and economic integration. As Malaysia navigates demographic shifts and evolving labour market demands, channelling veteran talent into entrepreneurial ventures creates economic diversification while addressing veteran welfare holistically.
For regional context, veteran entrepreneurship initiatives have gained prominence across Southeast Asia as defence forces adapt to changing security environments and budget realities. The PERHEBAT-INSKEN collaboration positions Malaysia within global best practices while addressing locally specific circumstances. The emphasis on millionaire-creation targets sets aspirational benchmarks that acknowledge veteran populations deserve wealth-building opportunities comparable to their contributions during military service.
The programme's success will likely influence how other Malaysian government agencies approach veteran economic integration. By combining structured mentorship, field-based monitoring, and market-focused training, PERHEBAT and INSKEN have designed a replicable model that balances institutional accountability with entrepreneurial flexibility. As the Master Class pilot matures, its performance metrics will inform policy discussions about scaling veteran entrepreneurship support across Malaysia's broader defence and civil service retirement systems.
