Ministry working to increase Kenyalang Gold Cards partners

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Fatimah (second right) and a senior citizen show their Kenyalang Gold Cards, as Pengiran Najib (left) and Yap look on.

MIRI: More than 130,000 Kenyalang Gold Cards (KGC) have been issued out of 169,925 applications received up to Aug 31.

According to Minister of Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, there are currently 13 strategic partners or KGC vendors in Miri.

“These vendors offer special prices, discounts up to 10 per cent or rebates to KGC holders.

“Among these vendors are spectacles shops, because we know that as we age, our vision becomes less sharp than it was when we’re younger,” she said when met during a visit to
Des Optics optical shop in Bintang Megamall yesterday.

Three of Des Optics branches are among the 13 KGC vendors here. Others are Winlife Shop (health products and wear), Freesia (transportation), Vision World Optics, Visioncare Optics, U-Look Optics, Eyeglass Shop (two branches), Goodrich Optical and Bright Smile (dental).

Fatimah said there were currently 89 KGC strategic partners in Sarawak, and the Welfare Department had been told to collaborate with more partners, particularly those handling food items.

“This (food items) is something popular among KGC holders, because they want to have discounts on food items that they buy. So we will work on that.

“We will also be looking for pharmacy (in Miri) because they are already pharmacy vendors in other divisions and areas,” she added.

Fatimah viewed KGC as a way for the government to provide a support system for the targeted population by working with the strategic partners.

“All these (special treatments) are provided by our strategic partners. There are people and corporate bodies who want to give back to the society by providing discounts to senior citizens.

“Senior citizens are special – they have contributed to their family, bringing up children who later become successful people and contribute back to the community. Senior citizens also contribute to society through the profession that they were in.

“So this is one way the government and corporate bodies work to provide special treatment to our senior citizens,” she said further.

Also present during the visit to Des Optics were Miri Welfare officer Pengiran Mohd Najib and Des Optic owner Desmond Yap.