Public Service DG Reaches Out To Retirees, Delivers Assistance

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz today visited retired civil servants and their families to deliver basic necessities assistance as a mark of the government’s appreciation for their services and sacrifices.

Under the programme, he visited the family of the late Awang Muhamad Karim, 65, a former senior financial administrative assistant at the Sabah Public Works Department who passed away in November last year, at Taman Sempelang, Sembulan here.

The first widow, Ng Siew Fong @ Faridah Abdullah, 72, who is also a former civil servant, suffers from high blood pressure and leg pain that limits her ability to stand for long periods, while the second widow, Lily Tay @ Nur Izzarah Amani, 53, requires support to prepare her 12-year-old child for school.

Wan Ahmad Dahlan then visited Farida Mubin @ Faridah Mumin, 60, a former general worker from the Sabah State Education Department who retired in September last year, at Kampung Sembulan Lama here.

He was informed that Farida was suffering from diabetes and experiencing vision problems in both eyes due to damage to the eye lenses, and had recently undergone treatment.

When met by reporters after the visit, Wan Ahmad Dahlan said the compassionate outreach initiative proved that the government had never sidelined retirees even though they were no longer in the public service system.

“Why do we visit retirees? Because the government is very concerned about those who have contributed to the nation, especially those who played a significant role in the development and formation of the nation.

“They continue to be cared for and given attention. The slogan that no one is left behind or marginalised is clearly reflected in what we are implementing now,” he said.

Commenting on the form of assistance, he said the aid this time focused on basic necessities and food items as the recipients’ health conditions were stable.

“Under normal circumstances, if a retiree is bedridden, we would provide medical equipment such as adjustable beds. However, in this instance, the retirees and family members are in good condition, so we contributed basic necessities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wan Ahmad Dahlan said government retirees will enjoy pension adjustments in line with Phase 2 of the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) beginning Jan 22.

“This shows that not only those currently in service receive their due rewards, but retirees also benefit from the concern shown by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.

-- BERNAMA