BN - Giving with one hand and grabbing it back with the other

April 23, 2012

The BN government puts on a big show of being concerned about pensioners who are struggling to make ends meet. It is all ‘wayang kulit’. They just do not care. The recent huge pay rise given to senior civil servants when compared to the pittance given to pensioners is a prime example.

For some pensioners living in Kuala Lumpur, the paltry rise  is just enough for taxi fare to collect the pension and perhaps have a snack at a teh tarik stall. Certainly not enough for exclusive designer clothes, diamond rings and elegant hotel stays!

Recently, I accompanied a friend who was hoping to collect the death benefits promised to pensioners. Imagine the shock and despair my friend felt when he was told that his mother was not eligible.

My friend’s father died a few years after he retired  and did not get to enjoy the death benefit for funeral expenses.His mother also only got her husband’s pension benefits for a few years.

Now, the family who is in severe financial straits is being denied these benefits. The BN government obviously is not aware of the reality of living in need. The spiraling cost of living has affected funerals too.

The Prime Minister should send his aides to check out how much a ‘no frills funeral “costs!

We sincerely hope the government will reconsider this refusal. If a government retiree did not get to enjoy this benefit, it should be passed on to his spouse, whether she is a government employee or not.

At the same time, the Selangor government which also pays death benefits bereaved families  on production of the death certificate is also not paying out in full but in phases

Mr Prime Minister , please do not talk about ‘transformation’. You have only blighted the lives of many pensioners who have served the country with dedication and loyalty for the better part of their lives.

Mr Prime Minister, you who treat pensioners and their families so callously should not expect pensioners’ votes or those of their family members in the coming elections! No“ namibikei’ on you or your promises!