Why axe death benefits scheme for Selangor, asks activist

A woman cleans the grave of a loved one ahead of Ramadan at the Shah Alam Muslim cemetery in Section 21. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Philanthropist Kuan Chee Heng has voiced concerns over Selangor’s decision to replace its death benefit payments scheme with a new programme to help senior citizens, saying the RM2,500 previously given had been a big help to families from the bottom 40 or B40 group.

Kuan, who frequently offers assistance to those who are unable to foot the bill for funerals and burials, said axing the scheme was “smart” as it saved the state government a lot of money.

“(But) I’ve been dealing with the poor for a long time now, and the RM2,500 meant a lot to them. For the needy, this is important and it should be continued by Selangor.”

The scheme was introduced in 2008, under Khalid Ibrahim who was menteri besar at the time. Payments were given upon the death of anyone from the state aged 60 or above.

Current menteri besar Amirudin Shari, who made the announcement last month, said the new scheme would allow some 200,000 registered senior citizens to enjoy a special “shopping voucher” worth RM100 each year.

He said the Selangor government would allocate RM20 million a year for this programme.

Kuan, popularly known as “Uncle Kentang” for giving out free potatoes to the hardcore poor, questioned the point of such vouchers, especially in the present economic situation.

Activist Kuan Chee Heng.

“What can they buy with RM100 a year?”

If the state government truly wished to help senior citizens, he said, it would be better to give RM500 or RM1,000 instead of only RM100, and to tighten the criteria for registration so that the money is not misused by those who do not need it.

“The government says it is making a lot of money because of its ‘good governance’. So why not increase it for the poor?”

For many low-earning families from the B40 group, he told FMT, RM2,500 could cover funeral expenses or at least go towards the purchase of a coffin.

He said many bodies are not claimed from mortuaries or given a proper send-off as the individuals’ families are unable to afford it.

Kuan, who contested as an independent candidate in the by-election in Semenyih, suggested that the government implement a new scheme in which a consortium arranges funeral services for free, with costs fully borne by the state.

He said this would also address concerns over the possible misuse of aid.

“We wouldn’t just pass out money to the deceased’s family; we would just provide the funeral services. That should be the way.

“Everyone will be happy, and at least the deceased would get a proper send-off.” - FMT