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.
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.
“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.
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.
Questioned about the Association’s proposal to deduct a compulsory amount of RM 1 monthly from every pensioner and the proposal to set-up a co-operative as a means to generate funds, both Julaihi and Hj.Subri said that to make that possible the Association’s Constitutions have been amended. Both proposals are now with the Registrar of Society for their endorsement.
Julaihi said they plan to ask the government for a new and permanent building for the Association, preferably in a new and secure location, and with amenities such as a gymnasium, and facilities for light sports such as table-tennis, badminton, and games such as Scrabble, Chess , Dart and even for entertainment such as video-watching and karaoke-singing, all for the benefits of its members.
(At the moment the Association’s premises is an old colonial-era government quarters at Reservoir Road, Kuching.)
Julaihi also plans to request for annual grant, the amount of which have been constantly declining in past years, to nothing – zero – since 2011! At times, the Association had no fund even to hold its AGM, and had to resort to asking for donations.
“That is why we appeal to all pensioners to register as members of the Association, so that we have a stronger voice when presenting our views and requests to the government.” said Julaihi.
“To be a member, a pensioner needs to fill an application form, includes 2 passport-size photographs and photocopies of Identity Card and Pension Card. A one-off payment of RM64 is payable for a Whole-life membership when submitting the application form. A membership card will then be issued.” he added.
Pensioners wishing to be members of the Sarawak Government Pensioners’ Association may do so through the Liaison Committee member(s) in their respective district, as shown:
MUKAH: TUAN HAJI IBRAHIM BIN HAJI MUT
TEL: 084 – 871436
H/P: 013 – 8348812
MIRI: TUAN HAJI DENNIN FREDERICKS
TEL: 085 – 419085 / 016 – 8729209
BINTULU: TUAN HAJI TURKEE BIN HAJI HAMZAH
H/P: 019 – 8841926
MATU: TUAN HAJI MOSTAPA BIN KUSAIRI
TEL: 010 – 5989254
LIMBANG: TUAN HAJI MOHD.SALLEH BIN ABDUL RAHMAN TEL: 085 – 212916
LUNDU: ENCIK SARKAWI BIN DAHLAN
TEL: 082 – 735652 / 019 – 8348602
SIBURAN: PENGHULU FRENI AFFRIN MADU
TEL: 082 – 863952
SARATOK: ENCIK ENTIKA GUMBANG
TEL: 019 – 8351629 / 083 – 435373
BETONG: PENGHULU HAJI ABANG ZAWAWIE ABANG ABDUL RAJIT
TEL: 083 – 472251 / 019 – 8174542
SRI AMAN: EN. BENJAMIN @ BERNARD ANAK TIMBAN
TEL: 083 – 321440 / 019 – 8185184
DARO: ENCIK ABU BAKAR BIN SALLEH
ADDRESS: PEJABAT DAERAH DARO
SIBU: ENCIK MUHAMMAD BIN AKIM
TEL: 013 – 8016123
SERIAN: ENCIK PETER MUSA ANAK LANJO
ADDRESS: NO. 117 KPG LANCHANG
SARIKEI: EN. MOHD. IBRAHIM ABDULLAH
TEL: 013 – 8013835 / 084 – 653937
SARIKEI: ENCIK AWANGKU PERSEH BIN AWANGKU ABU BAKAR
TEL: 013 – 6999861
MUKAH: MR. ANSELM ASSAI SIDIN
TEL: 084 – 871153
SIBU: ENCIK ELIS BIN RUMBI
TEL: 013 – 8181301
SARIKEI: TUAN HAJI SUHAILI ARAB
TEL: 084 – 651745 / 019 8479817
SERIAN: ENCIK SIAN ANAK JANGOI
H/P: 019 – 8252823
BINTULU: TUAN HAJI ROSLI BIN MERAN
TEL: 086 – 332140 / 010 – 5905329
MIRI: EN. BISBIE @ BUJANG BIN HAJI BAKERI
TEL: 085 – 433949 H/P: 016 – 68534436
SIBU: TUAN HAJI AWANG ALI BASAH BIN HAJI PENGIRAN KERTA
TEL: 084 – 334224
Pensioners dedicated the best thirty to forty years of their lives in the service of the government and contributing in the building of the state and nation. Now retired, old, sick and lonely, they are often neglected, and left forgotten on the wayside of life. Don’t they deserve a happy retirement and fair treatment in the remaining days of their lives?
