Widows receive aid from Perkeso
SERIAN: The Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) yesterday presented cash assistance to two widows of its former members.
In a simple ceremony held at the Socso office here, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem handed over RM1,500 each to Joecy @ Jocelyn Paul Subeh and Leona Odila Bigun to help them with their funeral expenses.
Joecy is the widow of Yusuf Sidani Sampe who was murdered in Miri recently.
Leona’s husband Jamrid Rimba Jutan Dadok was killed in a road accident on April 22. Both deceased came from Kampung Slabi just outside Serian town.
Riot, the six-term Serian MP, said Socso’s assistance to the two widows did not stop at just the RM1,500 funeral expenses.
“Starting next month, Joecy will be paid a monthly pension of RM2,065 for the rest of her life while Leona, RM475,” Riot said.
He said the pension amounts differed as they were based on the period of contribution and the amounts of deduction.
Both Yusuf and Jamrid were active members of Socso. Yusuf had contributed to the fund for well over the minimum 24 months, a condition that must be met for a surviving partner of a deceased member to enjoy full pension for life.
Jamrid, however, just met the minimum qualification.
Riot praised ‘Squad Perihatin Perkeso Serian’, a team formed to keep track of members in dire straits, that responded immediately based on newspaper reports and social media posts including Facebook.
“These two cases show why private sector workers in the industries must register with Perkeso. My advice to all workers out there, check if you are registered. If you are not, talk to your employers. If your employers refuse to listen, go to the nearest Perkeso office. We will deal with them,” Riot advised.
Later the minister distributed grants to 16 recipients that included PTA of SMK Serian, JKK Kampung Tebekang Bidayuh and JKK Kampung Resak. They were the biggest recipients, each receiving RM20,000. Others like PPWS Kampung Melayu Hilir Serian, Persatuan Masyarakat Batu 37 and JKK Kampung Tangga Pulau Tamba Cina each received between RM10,000 and RM15,000. Altogether, RM190,000 was given out.
Among those present at the ceremony were political secretary to the minister Major (r) Datuk Peter Runin, state Socso director Phillip Sangkan, Socso Serian manager Terence Tikok and councillor Leong Pit Wei.