WIDOW OF FOOTBALL LEGEND DESCRIBES SURVIVORS' PENSION AS SPECIAL GIFT OF LATE HUSBAND

KUALA NERUS, March 10 (Bernama) -- The widow of Terengganu football legend, the late Zulharisam Awang, 51, described the Survivors' Pension benefits received through Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) as a special gift from her late husband to her.

Nik Noratiza Nik Abd Aziz, 47, said the late husband's passing on Feb 5 due to liver and bowel cancer had a profound impact on her and her three children.

Apart from losing a loved one, Nik Noratiza, who is a full-time housewife, said she also had to think of ways to supplement the family's income as her three children are still in primary and secondary school and the Penang Campus Teacher Education Institute.

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"My late husband used to work as a general services assistant at Sultan Zainal Abidin University (UniSZA), so the pension is small.

"But I didn't expect him to contribute to SOCSO. Alhamdulillah, with this Survivor's Pension, I can further ease my burden of supporting my children who are still studying," she said when met at her residence in Kampung Wakaf Baru, in Gong Badak, near here today.

Meanwhile, Terengganu SOCSO director Farihah Che Husin said Nik Noratikah is eligible for a Survivor's Pension of RM764.58 per month for life starting this March.

In addition, she said her party has also channeled a Funeral Benefit of RM3,000 for funeral arrangements.

"The deceased's three children aged 12 to 19 will also be assisted until they complete their first degree studies.

"We hope this assistance can ease the burden of the deceased's family, especially at a time when Muslims will soon be celebrating Aidilfitri," she said.

She added that Terengganu SOCSO had channeled RM15.7 million to contributors and next of kin in the state involving 2,965 cases last year.

-- BERNAMA