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October 23, 2009 15:07 PM
Sarawak SP, PGB Holders Delighted With Bigger Allowances
SIBU, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- Sarawak's sole Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) Kanang anak Langkau and 29 surviving Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB) holders are delighted over the government's recent decision to increase their special allowances.
As quoted by the English daily, 'The Borneo Post', Kanang said it was "good news" and something that they had been looking forward to.
"It is an honour to have received the due recognition again...nevertheless, our sacrifices cannot be measured by ringgit and sen," said Kanang, 64, who killed six communist terrorists in Tanah Hitam in Perak in the 1980's during a security patrol.
In the ensuing shootout, however, he survived despite being shot thrice.
Now a farmer and residing in Sri Aman, Kanang is entitled to the new monthly allowance of RM2,000, as compared to RM400 previously.
On Wednesday, Parliament passed an amendment to the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (Remembrance Allowance)(Amendment) Bill 2009.
With the passing of the bill, SP award holders will now recieve a monthly allowance of RM2,000, as opposed to the previous RM400, while PGB holders will get RM1,500, as compared to RM300.
Both rates will take effect from July, this year.
A PGB holder, retired Assistant Superintendent of Police Wilfred Gomez Malong said the increase would be of great assistance.
"Most of us are now old and no longer productive. We do not know how long we will benefit from the new scheme...but this is long overdue.
"It is good that our law makers have duly acknowlwdged the contributions and sacrifices of the security forces in safeguarding the country," another English daily, 'Eastern Times', quoted him as saying in Kuching.
Another recipient Major (R) Micheal Riman said the new allowance made those in the Armed Forces "really honoured".
"On behalf of us all, I wish to thank Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. I know he has been very fundamental in this.
"I know he has been fighting for it (special allowances) for the past many years but only when he is our prime minister that this has finally materialised," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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