Marang Boat Incident Victims’ Children Receive Perkeso Benefits

MARANG, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Three of the six siblings who lost their parents in a boat capsize incident here on Aug 31 will receive Dependant’s Benefit (FOT) payment from the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) to ease their hardship.

Terengganu Perkeso director Suhara Mustaffa said the three children of the late Abdul Rahim Mustaffa, 47, and the late Nor Hasriah, 46, who died when their boat capsized while fishing off Kuala Merchang, will receive FOT payment of RM850 per month until they reach 21 years of age or complete their first degree.

She added that Perkeso will adopt the three siblings, namely Muhammad Haziq Adha, 19; Nur Najihah, 16; and Nur Nadzirah, 15, to ensure their education and welfare are taken care of.

“The Perkeso Prihatin Squad’s inspection revealed that the late Abdul Rahim was an active contributor to the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme (LINDUNG Kendiri), sponsored by the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM).

“The importance of contributions under the LINDUNG Kendiri Scheme is proven as heirs receive Perkeso protection benefits to help them continue with their lives,” she said when presenting FOT and funeral benefits of RM3,000 to the victims’ heirs in Kampung Pulau Kerengga here today.

Meanwhile, the couple’s third child Nur Nabilah Abdul Rahim, 23, said her siblings, especially Nur Nazirah, were still finding it hard to come to terms with the sudden loss of their parents.

She said her siblings deeply missed the comforting sound of their parents reciting the holy verses of the Quran.

“There are six of us. Four are still studying, two at university and two at secondary school.

“God willing, this assistance will help ease my siblings’ schooling expenses. I’m also planning to apply for the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan to continue my studies in Aquaculture Science at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) this October,” she said.

--BERNAMA