Media Statement By Violet Yong:
I urge the Sarawak government to provide a clear explanation and justification for the decision to reduce the death benefit amount of the Kenyalang Gold Card from RM3,000 to RM1,800 given the state strong financial standing.
This significant reduction from RM3000 to RM1800 in death benefits has raised grave concerns among all senior citizens and their beneficiaries.
Hence, the sarawak state government is duty bound to be transparent on this matter, addressing why such a cut was made and how it aligns with their commitment to the welfare of the people.
According to the Sarawak Welfare Department, if a person passed away before July 1 this year, their beneficiaries could still apply for the RM3,000 death benefit. However, for those who passed away after July 1, their beneficiaries would only be eligible for RM1,800, a reduction of RM1,200 in death benefit.
There was no official annoucement made from either the Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development or Sarawak Welfare Department before implementing this reduction policy, leaving the public confused. The whole matter has done through discreet manner which angered many.
The Sarawak government frequently boasts about Sarawak being a high-income state with impressive economic growth in revenue of RM7.66 billion in the first quarter of this year, yet the decision to scale back on previously promised benefits casts doubt on its sincerity in helping Sarawakians.
It is disappointing that while the Sarawak Welfare Department has introduced a RM500 annual health aid this year for senior citizens, it has simultaneously reduced the death benefit for the Kenyalang Gold Card. Even when combining the RM500 health aid and the RM1,800 death benefit, the total welfare benefits only add up to RM2,300, which is still less than the previous RM3,000 death benefit entitled under the Kenyalang Gold Card.
Sarawak government frequently boasts about its high revenue. In just the first quarter of 2024, the government announced a revenue of RM7.66 billion, leading to an estimated annual revenue of over RM30 billion. As such, there is no reason to reduce the benefits originally enjoyed by the people.
If the Sarawak government always claim to have such high annual revenue, then there is no reason to reduce the current RM3,000 death benefit for Kenyalang Gold Card beneficiaries.
The state government should instead allocate additional funding for implementing the RM500 annual health aid for senior citizens and maintained the RM3000 death benefits enjoyed by the beneficiaries under the Kenyalang Gold Card welfare scheme.
