By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 17: There is a “significant” number of Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) applicants especially in Kuching Division who have yet to collect their cards, says Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
Fatimah said this could be due to a change in mailing address and contact number of applicants.
“Those who have applied but have yet to receive their cards, please contact our hotline or send a WhatsApp message to 017-8040960 or email teamkgc@gmail.com to enquire about their cards and where they can collect them. It normally takes about a month for the card to be issued.
“We want to resolve this issue as soon as possible,” she said at a press conference at her Ministry at Baitulmakmur Building 2 today.
Since the KGC was launched in Jan 1, 2022 until July 29, 2022, Fatimah shared that 115,492 people above the age of 60 have obtained the KGC.
“As many as 383 companies, retailers and commercial centres such as MyDin and Farley have registered as KGC strategic partners with the most in Kuching at 114, which offer rebates and discounts as well as free services for cardholders,” she said.
The strategic partners comprised food outlets, retailers, optical shops, medical and dental clinics and other healthcare services, pharmacies, nursing and elderly care, rehabilitation services, chiropractic and physiotherapy, photography, hotel accommodation, supermarkets, beauty services, funeral parlour, cleaning services, spa and massage, transportation, florist and event management.
More importantly, Fatimah said the Welfare Department has spent over RM27 million for 9,126 beneficiaries of KGC holders in offering compassionate assistance (BIK) of RM3,000 to cover funeral expenses on the death of cardholders.
“The BIK is issued according to standard operating procedure (SOP) which must be claimed within 120 days or four months after the passing of the cardholders. All applications must also include a death certificate,” she explained.
With Sarawak’s ageing population projected to increase to 16 per cent or 526,000 people by 2030, Fatimah said the KGC was introduced two years ago as a support system to enhance the wellbeing and welfare of the elderly in Sarawak through provisions of certain privileges and benefits from organisations and commercial sectors.
Welfare Department director Noriah Ahmad was among those present. — DayakDaily
