COURTESY VISIT PROGRAMME A PLATFORM TO HONOUR PENSIONERS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLIC SERVICE

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- The Program Ziarah Santuni Pesara Uzur or Courtesy Visit to Ailing Pensioners programme organised by the Public Service Department (PSD) for over 10 years in collaboration with several other departments and agencies, will continue as a platform to honour the contributions of this group who have served the nation throughout their careers in the public service.

Director-General of Public Service Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said that the organisation of this programme is very commendable and should be continued in the future, given its effectiveness in ensuring that the pensioners do not feel sidelined despite the end of their service in the public sector.

He said that this initiative clearly demonstrates the government's commitment and concern for the needs of retirees across the country; and that the government has never neglected their well-being, in line with the sixth principle of Malaysia MADANI’s aspirations, which is ‘ihsan’ or compassion.

“Insya Allah, we will continue holding the programme in every state, and I hope that it will become a regular event to assist those ailing pensioners in need of the government’s support. I’m sure this will have a positive impact on them.

“This programme will definitely continue next year, perhaps in different locations and with different families of pensioners,” he said after leading the PSD’s courtesy visit to the homes of three ailing pensioners and a widow of a pensioner in the city on Wednesday.

During the visit, Wan Ahmad Dahlan personally attended to the three government pensioners and the widow, while also distributing cash donations, daily necessities, and health-related supplies, courtesy of the Retirement Fund, the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department, the Federal Secretary’s Office of Sabah, and Affin Bank.

Wan Ahmad Dahlan explained that it is the government's intention to always assist the people, not just the pensioners, but also those in the low-income and hardcore poor groups, besides providing employment opportunities to help these individuals generate income.

On salary adjustments for pensioners under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), Wan Ahmad Dahlan assured that all pensioners, whether from the professional or implementing group need not worry, as they too will enjoy the same benefits as serving public servants.

“Actually, when we implement salary adjustments, pensioners will also benefit from it too, meaning that they will receive pension adjustments as well. So, there’s no need to worry because the government has never neglected the pensioners,” he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department’s pensioner Bakar @ Bagol Adani, 75, who has four children and 15 grandchildren, expressed his gratitude for the assistance, including health-related support, during Wan Ahmad Dahlan’s visit to his home in Kampung Tanjung Aru Baru.

Bakar, who served as a firefighter for 37 years and is now suffering from a heart ailment, also described the assistance as a testament to the government's concern for pensioners facing health issues like him.

“I am truly grateful for the assistance from the PSD, which continues to show care by providing support to former government employees with health problems. If we look at it, many pensioners are not in stable health condition and some even suffer from various illnesses due to old age,” he said.

“I, for one, was diagnosed with a heart ailment long before retiring. So, medical assistance or health-related supplies is kind of important for pensioners with health issues like me. Other things, I think we can manage on our own,” said the former fireman who had not only also served in Sabah, but also in Labuan.

Othman @ Matius Angkaus, 65, a retired officer from the Sabah Museum Department, also expressed his joy with the PSD’s courtesy visit to his home in Kampung Kopungit.

Othman who retired in 2019 after 37 years of service with the department said that the assistance and support he received definitely helped alleviate his burden, especially with the rising cost of living.

“I would like to thank you for this contribution. I also want to thank the e-Kasih officers who came to interview us about our health issues and what assistance we need,” said Othman, who has six children and six grandchildren.

During the visit, Wan Ahmad Dahlan also presented assistance to Chu Moi Kui @ Ho Moi Kui, 75, the widow of a retired firefighter.

-- BERNAMA