Pleasant surprise for widow who did not expect any Socso aid

It was a pleasant surprise for housewife Salwana Ibrahim, when she learned she was eligible for benefits under the Social Security Organisation (Socso) Invalidity Pension Scheme, though her husband had stopped contributing to the organisation five years ago.

Salwana, 53, said the late Tengku Endut Tengku Jusoh, also 53, was a Malaysia Airlines (MAS) engineer for 23 years before leaving the company to join Qatar Airways.

"He died from COVID-19 infection on June 10 after receiving treatment for about one month at the Hamad Medical Centre in Doha, Qatar.

"Since he left to work abroad and was no longer making SOCSO contribution, I did not expect that the dependant will still be eligible for the benefit," she said, adding that he stopped making the payments in 2015.

"I really appreciate it because it had been difficult for me and my children after my husband's death. The aid will certainly ease our burden," she told reporters after a presentation ceremony at her home here today.

Earlier, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan handed over the aid, witnessed by Socso chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.

Saravanan explained that Tengku Endut was an eligible recipient of the Socso benefit as he had contributed for over 10 years while he was with MAS.

This is the first case of a COVID-19 death involving Malaysians living abroad, eligible for the Socso Invalidity Pension Scheme which covers RM2,000 for funeral expenses and the survivor's pension benefit.

"Under the scheme the dependant in this case the wife, will receive 65% of the insured person's average assumed monthly income, as pension while their children, aged below 21 years, will receive educational assistance," he said.

Saravanan added that so far 15 deaths linked to COVID-19 infection, were eligible for Socso benefits.

-- BERNAMA