At 102, Negri Sembilan's oldest government pensioner still says 'thank you'

 

Retired school cleaner Ong Siew Choon, who supported her family after her husband's death, was honoured during a Public Service Department visit to government pensioners in Seremban. NSTP/AHMAD HASBI

SEREMBAN: "Thank you very much, thank you everyone."

Those were the heartfelt words of 102-year-old Ong Siew Choon, Negri Sembilan's oldest government pensioner, as she received a visit from Public Service Department (PSD) director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz today.

Despite having difficulties with speech, hearing and vision, Siew Choon repeatedly expressed her gratitude throughout the visit.

Siew Choon served as a general worker and school cleaner under the Education Ministry from 1965 until her retirement in 1979.

Her daughter, Yeoh Kin Yeok, 75, said her mother remained generally healthy despite her age, although she now experienced hearing, vision and speech difficulties and was living with dementia.

"My father worked as a factory clerk, but as he grew older, he became ill and was unable to continue working before he died in 1972.

"My mother then became the family's sole breadwinner. She first worked as a domestic helper before becoming a school cleaner at the age of 41," she said at the family's home.

Kin Yeok, the third of six siblings and a retired teacher, said her mother's longevity was likely due to her vegetable-based diet and passion for gardening.

"I think her diet has played the biggest role. These days, though, we secretly encourage her to eat more protein to give her strength.

"She loved tending to her flower garden until about five years ago, when we asked her to stop because we were worried she might fall. Otherwise, she would spend every morning from 7.30am to 10am looking after her plants," she said.

She added that the family had not expected the visit from Wan Ahmad Dahlan and felt deeply honoured by the recognition.

Throughout the visit, Siew Choon continued thanking everyone present, touching those in attendance.

Meanwhile, Wan Ahmad Dahlan said the visit was part of the PSD's Program Ziarah Pesara, which saw seven government pensioners in the Seremban area receive visits in collaboration with the Retirement Fund (Incorporated) (KWAP) and the Negri Sembilan Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU).

He said the programme reflected the department's continued commitment to recognising the contributions and sacrifices of former civil servants while ensuring their welfare remained a priority after retirement.

During the visit, Wan Ahmad Dahlan presented Siew Choon with a new pensioner card, daily necessities and a contribution from the prime minister.

He said PSD, through its strategic partner KWAP, continued to maintain records of retired civil servants, enabling the department to trace and assist them even many years after retirement.

"All the data is with us. The challenge is finding the time and opportunity to visit them. Whenever we travel on official duty, I or PSD officers try to make time to meet retired civil servants.

"At the very least, we can ask about their wellbeing and provide assistance where needed, especially on health-related matters, including support with medical equipment," he said. - NST