Old Age Pension Brings Smiles To Old Folks
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - The elderly community here in Brunei Darussalam are pleased with the government's efforts and initiatives in caring for their welfare.

This was the general response gathered from participants present at the International Day for the Elderly 2007 celebration that unfolded at the Manggis Mall yesterday. The celebration was organised by the Department of Community Development, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. For the month of November, the Old Age Pension was distributed to a total of 16,543 recipients, with the total sum amounting to $4,135,750.

Local elderly folks - who are 60 years and above - represent a portion of the community that requires welfare aid and protection from the Department of Community Development.

Among the services provided to them is the Old Age and Handicapped Pensions. Hj Besar bin Kamis, 82, believes the government of His Majesty has taken great care of the welfare of the elderly folks here.

"I am very delighted with the increment of the Old Age Pension. I want to thank His Majesty for raising the pension for the elderly," he said.

Meanwhile, Haj ah Dayang Hj Md Hasan, 64, said, "I am very happy to receive the increased Old Age Pension. I would like to convey my appreciation to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam."

Jaya Setia-Jaya Bakti Village Head Hj Nordin bin Hj Awang Bakar said, "It is always good to organise such an event like this, so that we can gather all the elderly people and given them a chance to catch up."

The village head also disclosed that there are plans to set up an Elderly People Association in the village. However, the elderly folks of the village will hold a meeting before any decision is made. At present there are 95 elderly folks residing at Kampong Jaya Setia-Jaya Bakti.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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