Retirees urged not to isolate themselves

Government retirees have been urged not to isolate themselves from society to the extent of ignoring what is happening around them.

State agriculture, agro-based industry, plantations and commodities committee chairman Datuk Muhammad Pehimi Yusof said such attitude would only be to the retirees' disadvantage as they would miss several benefits and opportunities provided for them by various parties, including the government.

"Most retirees do not realise that the government can still help them as long as they can be together in the community by doing charitable work," he said when officiating the Besut Malaysian Government Pensioners Association annual general meeting at Dewan Masjid Hadhari in Jerteh here, Monday.

He said the government would not be able to keep track of retirees if they did not make the public aware of their presence, adding that to create opportunities for themselves, retirees could utilise their experience for the benefit of community development.

"Retirees can contribute by sharing their experience in helping to develop an association or non-governmental organisation at their place.

"The state government has provided many facilities such as medical facilities, sending retirees to perform the Haj and Umrah, as well as providing other forms of assistance to ensure retirees can live comfortably," Muhammad Pehimi.

-- BERNAMA