KUCHING: The Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS) will work with Plaza Merdeka Holdings Sdn Bhd to encourage the latter’s tenants to become strategic partners of the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC).
“Follow up with the Plaza Merdeka team to discuss further on the matter. That is your next job,” Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah told the KGC ambassadors team.
“In the effort to look for more KGC vendors, I wish to remind the KGC team to not only eye big companies but also small businesses such as coffee shops and eateries.
“This is because our senior citizens frequent this kind of places.
“I believe a 10 per cent discount for a bowl of Sarawak laksa or kolo mee and drinks, would be significant for senior citizens,” she said when officiating at the KGC strategic partners appreciation, and presentation of welfare aid ceremony, at Waterfront Hotel here on Monday (March 29).
Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah hands over a token of appreciation to a vendor who is a strategic partner of the Kenyalang Gold Card. Photo: Munirah Zhamri 
Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah hands over a token of appreciation to a vendor who is a strategic partner of the Kenyalang Gold Card. Photo: Munirah Zhamri
Earlier, Plaza Merdeka Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Steve Ng said the Waterfront Hotel would offer 10 per cent discount to all KGC members and would encourage Plaza Merdeka tenants to commence programmes offering discounts on their products and services.
Fatimah also mentioned that as of March 26, 235 companies had registered as strategic partners.
Ninety-eight are in Kuching, 40 in Miri, 26 in Sibu, 16 in Bintulu, 12 in Samarahan, 11 in Limbang, nine in Sarikei, six in Serian, six in Mukah, five in Sri Aman, four in Betong and two in Kapit.
During the event, Fatimah presented KGC plaques and stickers to five strategic partners — Alpro Pharmacy, Klinik Pergigian Anmas, Waterfront Hotel, Nirawan 9 Royal Thai Cuisine and Everrise Plaza Merdeka.
Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah hands over a token of appreciation to a vendor who is a strategic partner of the Kenyalang Gold Card. Photo: Munirah Zhamri 
Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah hands over a token of appreciation to a vendor who is a strategic partner of the Kenyalang Gold Card. Photo: Munirah Zhamri
She also presented KGC cards to five recipients, BIK aid to 19 recipients and Special Aid for Kidney Patients (BKPBP) to five recipients.
Also present were Assistant Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis; Assistant Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Rosey Yunus; the ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Rashidah Bolhassan, state Social Welfare Department director Noriah Ahmad, Women and Family Department director Norita Bawi; Tan Kai, a political secretary to the Chief Minister, and Socoe Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Samuel John Wong.
