KUALA LUMPUR – Deflecting complaints from contributors on how hard it is to get benefits or aid from the Social Security Organisation (Socso) , Datuk Seri M. Saravanan now claims that decisions on who qualify are made by “independent lawyers and doctors“.
The human resources minister said it is unfair for the public to blame Socso for failing to have their claims approved. He said the organisation is merely an implementing agency.
“You can’t blame Socso. They don’t decide whether a person is qualified for Socso’s schemes and benefits,” he said.
“This decision will be made by (an) independent panel of lawyers and doctors. Socso merely acts based on what is regulated by the doctors,” he told reporters during a ministry’s meet-the-people programme at Menara Manikavasagam here, yesterday.
Saravanan said that while his ministry and Socso can be more flexible in ensuring more Malaysians get the assistance they want, they still have to stick by the rule of law.
“If the independent lawyers and doctors said no (to approving claims), that certain individuals are not qualified, then we cannot say otherwise,” he said.
“But many of those affected may not understand this, which is why we are opening our doors and meeting them,” he said.
At least 200 individuals from the Indian community had attended the event to share their grouses and seek assistance. Many were facing difficulties obtaining assistance from Socso, despite suffering from permanent injuries.
Pushed away despite multiple attempts to seek aid
Among those present was 61-year-old lorry driver M. Tewarajan, who underwent a head surgery in 2011 and has since had difficulty walking due to a weak lower limb.
The father of seven told The Vibes that this was his third time meeting with Socso officials in an attempt to obtain financial assistance that would allow him to rest at home rather than drive on the road to support himself.
“Twice before this I went to Socso for help. I went to the hospital for a medical report as they required me too, and yet I received nothing from them other than a one-off payment of RM900,” he said. “They told me that I’m still fit enough to work.”
“Today, again they asked me to get a medical report from the hospital. How many times should I do that?
“I have been contributing monthly to Socso, and yet when I ask for help, I am not getting it. All I’m asking for is a monthly allowance that will allow me to quit my job and rest at home. How is it safe for me to drive with my condition?” he said.
Another disgruntled contributor, S. Krishnan, 52, said this was his third time meeting Socso officials after his previous claims for monthly aid were rejected.
Krishnan, whose wife had recently lost her job as a kindergarten teacher, had one of his toes amputated about five years ago due to diabetes. His eyesight also deteriorated, forcing him to quit his job as a taxi driver.
“I can’t drive or stand for longer than an hour. My legs get swollen and sometimes even bleed. Now, I have to rely on my children for my own expenses,” he said.
“My issue is that the government keeps saying Socso has a lot of money. So why aren’t they giving back to people in need?
“Every time I meet them, they say I am still capable of working. How would they even know what I’m going through?” he added. - The Vibes, October 2, 2020
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