Rally for Benefits

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from left: Julaihi, Hj. Subri, Hj.Johari and Hjh. Kadariah.

There are more than 40,000 pensioners in Sarawak, but only a mere 7,500 are members of the Sarawak Government Pensioners’ Association (SGPA).

Many pensioners were less than enthusiastic, while some were totally uninterested in being members.

Others questioned the benefits of being one, and whether the Association provides facilities for sports, games and entertainment and whether it organises fun activities for its members.

All these seemed more a reflection of their lack of information regarding the Association.

To have and to share a clearer picture on the functions of the Association and the purpose and benefits of being a member, The New Sarawak Tribune talked to Tuan Julaihi b. Ismail, who is in his third term as President of the Association, and Tuan Hj. Subri b. Hj. Aman, its Secretary-general, at the Association’s premises in Kuching recently. Also present were its Information/Public Relations Officer, Tuan Hj. Johari b. Sedi and Puan Hjh. Kadariah bt. Hj. Mohd. Maleng, one of its Vice-Presidents.

According to Julaihi, who is the former Director of the state’s Agriculture Department, the Association was registered with the Registrar of Society on November 30th. 1971. Its objective, among others, is to uphold the interest and improve the well-being of its members and acts as a legitimate body to negotiate on behalf of its members pertaining to matters concerning common problems and grievances.

The present Sarawak Government Pensioners’ Association building.

It manages and administers a benevolent fund purporting to render assistance to incapacitated and needy members owing to prolonged illness or accidents or to destitute widows or orphans of members. (A sum of RM100 to assist in the funeral expenses of the family of a member who died and RM 50 when a member’s spouse died.)

“The other objectives are to provide amenities and recreational facilities for members whenever it is considered desirable, and to encourage and assist members who are still active and able to participate in any national development effort.” said Hj. Subri.

Visiting Vice-President of SGPA, Hj.Daud b. Hj.Piee in Sarawak General Hospital.

“The Association’s activities include holding a monthly gathering at its premises, organising visits to pensioners who are in hospitals and in various institutions and distributing foodstuffs to various homes during festive seasons.

“To strengthen our ties with other Pensioners’ Associations, last year we made a trip to Sabah. A visit to Pontianak is in the planning,” he added.
Bemoaning the low membership of the Association, Julaihi said it is planning to hold roadshows and membership drive across the state and empower Liaison Committee members at district and divisional levels to promote the benefits of being a member, distribute membership forms and recruit new members.

“It is important that we increase our membership in order for pensioners to have a strong voice when putting their requests and negotiating with the government, because without government aid and intervention, pensioners face difficulties fending for themselves.” he said.

Julaihi handing over a wheelchair to a SGPA member in Sri Aman.

Further highlighting the functions of the Association, Julaihi said that it played a part and contributed to the successful negotiations with the government for the 2% yearly increase in pension increment a couple of years ago.

He said that the Sarawak Government Pensioners’ Association is currently involved in the negotiation with the government for a further increase in pension increments to 5% for pensioners in the highest scale category and to 20% for those in the lowest scale category. The outcome, however, is still pending.

“Through the Association’s efforts and negotiations with the government, the families of pensioners who have passed away after October 10th 2010, can now apply for and receive RM3000 as funeral expenses, regardless of whether they are members of the Association or otherwise.

Those who have not applied can still do so via Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam Malaysia, Bahagian Pasca Perkhidmatan (Pencen), Aras 1 & 2, Bangunan Marzuki, Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Yaakup, Petra Jaya, Kuching,” said Hj. Subri, further explaining the Association’s functions.