KUALA LUMPUR: For a meagre RM50 a month, senior non-commissioned officers (NCO) can stay at a 'five-star' accommodation.
Such is the facility according to Armed Forces personnel ranked sergeant, staff-sergeant and warrant officers who choose to stay at the one-room facility at Wisma Bintara of the Defence Ministry (Mindef) in Jalan Padang Tembak.
The monthly fee is almost similar to that accorded to commissioned officers living in single rooms at the nearby Wisma Perwira, or Officer's Mess, in Jalan Tekpi.
The RM30 million nine-storey Wisma Bintara, known in English as the Sergeant's Mess, has 200 rooms – 70 'Class A' ones for Warrant Officers and 130 'Class B' ones for sergeants and staff-sergeants.
It serves 1,700 senior NCOs working at Mindef and its surrounding camps.
"Senior NCOs not working within the vicinity, but who are on transit duty, can also stay at the mess complex at RM30 per day," said Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz after opening Wisma Bintara.
Present were ministry secretary-general Datuk Muez Abdul Aziz, Army chief Gen Tan Sri Zamrose Mohd Zain, Armed Forces headquarters chief-of-staff Lt Gen Datuk Zakaria Mohd Yadi, LTAT chairman Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and Perbadanan Perwira Harta Malaysia chairman Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.
Just like Wisma Perwira, Wisma Bintara also has facilities for a surau, gymnasium, banquet hall, sports facilities and dining lounge.
Ikmal Hisham hoped the opening of the new Wisma Bintara, to replace the 35-year-old one that was demolished in 2013, would boost the morale of senior NCOs.
"At the same time, it is hoped to be a catalyst to uplift the professionalism and productivity of its personnel in carrying out their duties, as a fortress for the nation.
"Senior NCOs, like the other lower ranks, form the backbone of the Armed Forces in ensuring the dignity and sovereignty of the country is not violated by the enemy.
"Wisma Bintara is among the projects to cater for the welfare of Armed Forces personnel, in line with the ministry's '2022 Action Plan'," said Ikmal Hisham.
The Armed Forces Superannuation Fund (LTAT) funded the construction of Wisma Bintara, with works carried out from July 3, 2017, under its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The complex was completed on Dec 28, 2020.
"I urge the occupants and visitors at Wisma Bintara to responsibly use its facilities.
"Ensure the equipment are taken care of passionately and appreciatively so that it can be inherited by future generations," Ikmal Hisham said.
He paid tribute to the senior NCOs for their sacrifice, devotion and struggles which were highly appreciated by the government.
"The ministry and the Armed Forces always stand shoulder to shoulder and are firmly united to ensure that the country's defence shield continues to grow and be strong.
"The development and modernisation of the Armed Forces continue to be carried out not only with the procurement of military assets but also in the aspect of welfare and the comfort of soldiers," said Ikmal Hisham.