Naroden (second left) presenting a donation awarded by YGMB to a teacher with illness. Alimuddin is on the right.
KUCHING: The Malaysian Teachers Foundation Bhd (YGMB) is deserving of the commendation received for their vital role in the welfare of teachers.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem yesterday said the welfare of educators was crucial towards ensuring their health and well-being in order to maximise their capacity to teach.
“We recognise the selfless contributions and sacrifices of the educators as being most valuable and thus, their welfare must be well taken care of even after their retirement.
“Teaching is such a noble and valuable profession. Their (teachers’) immense contribution to impart knowledge and to shape individuals has significant impact in building our society,” Adenan said in his speech, read out by Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Development) Datuk Naroden Majais at the opening of YGMB’s 21st annual general meeting (AGM) at a hotel here.
As such, the chief minister pointed out that YGMB carried a huge responsibility in ensuring that the welfare of every educator would be taken care of, apart from supporting and strengthening the teaching profession.
“I am confident that the initiative and various strategies implemented will make YGMB the most distinguished welfare body to provide value-added and appropriate welfare services to our teachers, in line with its slogan ‘From Teacher to Teacher’. More importantly, it augurs well for the national education transformation plan.”
Towards this end, Adenan urged all teachers under the Education Ministry, especially those serving across the state, to register as members of YGMB to enjoy the various benefits it offered.
Meanwhile, YGMB chairman Tan Sri Dato Alimuddin Mohd Dom pointed out that teachers could enjoy 16 new benefits under its scheme, with a monthly fee of just RM10 per person.
“The scheme covers death, accident, disability, sickness, hospitalisation and natural disasters, in which some can also apply for their spouses and children.
“We also provide incentives for education (including children), retirement and haj pilgrimage as well as births and marriages,” he said.
According to Alimuddin, YGMB currently has 83,193 members.
“Since its establishment,
the foundation has spent over RM12 million to support the welfare of its members,” he said, highlighting that the largest contribution was made
last year amounting to RM1.6 million.
YGMB, in collaboration with Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), had introduced the ‘1TeachersCard’ credit card which managed to racked in RM3 million in revenue since its launch in 2013.
“There are now more than 50,000 teachers throughout Malaysia who are actively using this credit card.”
Alimuddin also noted the yearly increase in membership, but added that YGMB needed to get involved in more competitive economic activities that would enable it to generate sustainable revenues.
“We will continue to explore new opportunities from time to time to enhance our financial position.”
For the first time, Alimuddin said, YGMB had spread its wings in property and commercial investments, apart from participation in the oil palm plantation sector.
The AGM yesterday was attended by over 400 educators from across the state. Its main objective was to build closer ties among members.