KUCHING: Thirty-three Kenyalang Gold Cards (KGCs) were distributed to the Kuching Indian-Muslim League todat.
The cards were presented by Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah at Serapi Hotel.
“As of March 26, 202,722 applicants — 64 percent of the total number of senior citizens in Sarawak — have received approval for their cards.
“Of the total, 184,404 cards have been printed and 169,242 cards have been distributed to the related agencies to be given to the cardholders,” she said.
Fatimah added that the KGCs were in line with the National Senior Citizens Policy and the government’s commitment to create senior citizens who were independent, self-dignified, and respected by optimising their potential in order to improve their well-being in the development of the country.
“The well-being in the context of this policy encompasses five main dimensions, namely health dimensions (healthy aging, social (active aging), economic (productive aging), spirituality (positive aging) and environment (supportive aging).
“Senior citizens will live prosperous lives when they can enjoy balance in these five dimensions.” explained the minister.
She pointed out that those who had received the KGCs would be able to get rebates and discounts from 235 strategic partners such as Sarawak Medical Centre Sdn Bhd, H&L, The Waterfront Hotel, Optical 88 Eyecare, and many more.
“These shops and companies are able to give better quality lives to our aged community,” she said.
Fatimah revealed that from January 1 to March 26 this year, 973 applicants received the Death Compassionate Assistance (BIK). This brings the total number of BIK applicants from 2020 until March 26 this year to 2,835, with RM6.9 million allocated for the purpose.
“This provision to the deceased KGC holders is an initiative of the state government to help ease the burden of the family in bearing the cost of funerals.
“Each eligible KGC holder will be given a BIK of RM3,000 per person,” she added.
