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Social Pension for the Elderly

The Star

Malaysia

June 1, 2005



Lum Kin Tuck (pic), president of the National Council of Senior Citizens Organisations of Malaysia (Nacscom), 88, retired 30 years ago. Although he does not have Employee Provident Fund (EPF) savings, he draws from his monthly pension, which is half his pay (as a school teacher).
 
He says: "There was a time when RM750 pension was big but now even RM1,100 is considered very little due to inflation. It may not be enough for me and my wife but we have investments and can live comfortably. My four sons are professionals, all doctors, so there is no problem with finances. 

In April, he says, Nacscom suggested to the government to introduce social pension for the elderly who are 60 and above. Two months ago, Lum had also put forth the suggestion to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry. 

"We're not advocating a welfare state but we're asking a small sum of money (RM240 a month or RM8 a day) to be given to the elderly as a form of 'income security'. 

"No one at old age should be deprived of food and shelter as enshrined in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights," says Lum. 

"In Asia, there are three countries that have introduced social pension to help the elderly while in South America, there are five or six countries. 

"If developing countries can enforce this scheme, why can't Malaysia, a far richer nation by comparison, do it?" 


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