Socso to provide lifelong pension for widow of assaulted security guard

 

The Social Security Organisation (Socso) will be providing a lifelong monthly pension of RM1,143.90 to the wife of the late S Thava Sagayam, 64, who recently died from head injuries sustained eight months ago while on duty as a security guard.

According to The Malay Mail, Human Resources Minister M Saravanan and Socso officials had earlier today presented E Philomena, 59, with a cheque for RM14,737, during a visit to her home in Taman Buntong Ria in Ipoh, Perak.

The amount comprises RM2,000 for Thava’s burial ceremony and a one-off payment of RM12,737 for the six months he has spent in the hospital.

“My husband was the sole breadwinner in this family and I don’t have children to support me.

“I didn’t expect that I would get this aid. I feel very grateful,” Philomena was quoted as saying.

She also reportedly thanked Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran for helping her from the day her late husband had been admitted for the injuries, including sending her essential supplies weekly.

In presenting the donation today, Saravanan said many are unaware that Socso provides lifelong pension as one of its benefits.

“When a person is a Socso contributor, the wife will receive a lifelong pension if the person died while on duty,” he said.

“However, in this case, the current employer did not provide Socso contribution.

“But the deceased’s wife is still entitled to the benefits as the old employer had submitted the contribution,” Saravanan added.

On Dec 29, 2020, Thava, while on duty, was violently injured by a guest staying at a condominium along Jalan Yang Kalsom, Ipoh, who was purportedly angry that his child was prevented from using the closed swimming pool.

The case was initially investigated under Section 335 of the Penal Code, with the suspect, Noor Azhar Muhammad, charged on Jan 6 at the Ipoh Magistrate's Court.

The initial case was scheduled for mention on Sept 9 but Perak police chief Mior Faridalthrash Wahid said it has been reclassified under Section 302 of the Penal Code as murder following Thava’s death. - Mkini