| Hakim Hayat |
THE Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports yesterday stressed that there are no plans to review the current rate of old age pension payouts to senior citizens in the country, following suggestions made by several Legislative Council (LegCo) members to raise the amount amid increasing living costs.
YB Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof noted at the ongoing 12th LegCo Meeting yesterday that this is a recurring matter that has deliberated on and been duly answered during previous LegCo proceedings.
LegCo members YB Awang Haji Mohd Yusof bin Haji Dulamin and YB Orang Kaya Jaya Putera Dato Paduka Haji Muhammad Taha bin Abdul Rauf yesterday urged for the Old Age Pension Act, which entails a $250 living allowance given to citizens and residents who are over 60 years of age, to be reviewed to allow for some adjustments that would be appropriate in today’s economic climate, as well as to alleviate the financial difficulties faced by some senior citizens.
YB Awang Haji Mohd Yusof also put forward a suggestion to streamline the distribution channel for the old age pensions, suggesting for it to be credited into bank accounts to ensure a more secure method and to avoid those eligible who are not residing in the country to take advantage of the privilege.
YB Orang Kaya Jaya Putera Dato Paduka Haji Muhammad Taha bin Abdul Rauf. – DEAN KASSIM
Legislative Council member YB Awang Haji Mohd Yusof bin Haji Dulamin. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
Currently, old age pensions are distributed through the Ministry of Finance (MoF) or through respective penghulus and village heads.
The minister added that they are also made aware some underprivileged individuals may find that the old age pension is their only source of income therefore, in special cases, consideration is given on a case-to-case basis to increase the amount by $100, especially for those registered under the Community Development Department (JAPEM) Welfare Assistance Scheme.
The minister also said that distribution channels for the old age pension will still remain and several methods have in fact been devised to ensure the safety of the distribution methods.
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