AMPANG: The Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) will provide RM3,000 in immediate financial assistance to the families of 16 Malaysians affected by the floods and landslides along the Nepal-Tibet border on Aug 26.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the assistance was part of the government’s efforts to ease the financial burden on families who had lost loved ones or were still awaiting confirmation of their relatives’ fate.
He said Perkeso had reviewed the records of 54 victims, of whom 28 were found to have met the contribution eligibility requirements for benefits to be extended to their eligible next of kin.
“Today, I will hand over Perkeso benefits to 16 affected families. Each family will receive RM3,000 in immediate financial assistance.
“While I understand that the assistance may not be sufficient, the government, through the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) and several other agencies, will also provide support based on the needs of families affected by the Nepal tragedy,” he told a press conference after the Nepal Flood Benefits Handover Ceremony here today.
Ramanan said Perkeso had identified 28 victims as eligible for benefits, with a total of RM174,000 allocated to their families under the Funeral Management Benefit (FPM) and Survivors’ Pension.
He said the eligible next of kin would also be entitled to the Survivors’ Pension under the Invalidity Scheme, with payments to be processed once all the relevant information and documentation had been completed.
Ramanan said several legal matters concerning the victims were still being addressed, with the National Legal Affairs Division holding discussions with relevant parties in Nepal to expedite the process.
He said the government was working to ensure that all necessary legal procedures were completed as quickly as possible, noting that the process could otherwise take up to seven years under normal circumstances.
“As everyone knows, if we were to follow the normal legal procedures, the process could take up to seven years.
“However, we have already held discussions with the Nepalese government, and the Attorneys-General of both Nepal and Malaysia have met to explore ways to expedite the process,” he added.
He said the government, through the Human Resources Ministry and Perkeso, was committed to ensuring that no eligible family was left out of the assistance and protection available to them.
He also urged family members who had yet to be contacted by Perkeso to visit their nearest office for further information and assistance.
For families of victims without Perkeso contribution records, Ramanan said assistance would still be provided through the Social Synergy Programme, which connects affected families with 990 strategic partners, including 130 agencies nationwide, to identify other forms of suitable assistance.
He said the initiative aimed to help families meet their daily needs, manage household commitments and ensure their children’s education remained uninterrupted.
“Social security protection is not merely a facility, but a right that must be safeguarded for every worker, regardless of their sector, type of employment, status or employer,” he said.
Ramanan said the tragedy underscored the importance of social security protection, particularly for families who had suddenly lost their primary breadwinners.
He also expressed appreciation to the Perkeso Prihatin Squad and its personnel for their efforts in identifying and reaching out to affected families.
