Nepal Floods: 28 Families Eligible for SOCSO Benefits

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 28 families of victims of the floods and landslides at the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26 are eligible to receive benefits from the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO).

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan said a review of the contribution records of 54 victims found that 28 met the eligibility requirements, with total benefits amounting to RM174,000 for their next of kin.

“The victims’ next of kin will receive a benefit payment of RM3,000 as immediate financial assistance. They are also eligible for Survivors’ Pension benefits under the Invalidity Scheme.

“Payments will be processed once all the relevant information and documents have been completed,” he said during the SOCSO Benefits Presentation Ceremony for Nepal Flood Victims at Menara PERKESO in Ampang on Wednesday.

Also present were SOCSO Board Chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal and SOCSO Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.

Speaking further at a press conference after the ceremony, Ramanan said 16 families attended to receive the benefits, while payments to other eligible families would be distributed in stages.

He said SOCSO would continue efforts to trace the victims’ next of kin and complete their information to ensure that no eligible family was left out.

“Therefore, I urge the next of kin who have not yet been contacted to come forward and visit their nearest SOCSO office,” he added.

For families of victims without contribution records, Ramanan said SOCSO would assist them in obtaining other appropriate forms of assistance.

“For victims who do not have SOCSO contribution records, please do not feel that you have been forgotten. We remain concerned about and attentive to the plight of your families.

“Through the Social Synergy Programme, SOCSO will help connect affected families with 990 strategic partners, including 130 agencies nationwide, to identify other suitable forms of assistance to help ease their burden,” he explained.

Ramanan also said the Prime Minister had instructed the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM) and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan to coordinate government assistance for the victims following a Cabinet meeting.

Astro AWANI