KUANTAN: Octogenarian Ngah Ismail, who used to occupy a dilapidated wooden house in Kampung Pantai Beserah near here, is now living in a three-bedroom house.
The 89-year-old was "gifted"a new house by the Pahang government under the Rumah Rakyat Pahang (RRP) programme two years ago.
Ngah, who used to work as a fisherman here, said he was extremely grateful to the Pahang government as his new unit was a far cry from the wooden house he had lived in for more than 30 years.
"My old house was in bad condition with holes in the floor and walls. The zinc roof leaked every time it rained.
When the state assemblyman saw the condition of my house, he assured me that he would help me get a new house.
"I am now living in a comfortable home with adequate electricity and water supply.
"I learned that the RRP unit given to me cost RM65,000 and was given for free to the hardcore poor who are eligible for programme," he said at his home.
Caretaker Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail introduced the RRP project in 2020 with two units in each of the 42 state constituencies across the state. It has since been increased to six units this year, and each parliamentary constituency (14 parliamentary seats) will be entitled to one unit.
Meanwhile, single mother Wan Hasmah Wan Muda lauded the Pahang government's move to introduce the Pahang Pride Kasih Health Card, which is valued at RM500 each.
The 69-year-old said the card, which can be used at panel private clinics across the state, had allowed her to seek immediate treatment rather than going to a general hospital.
"In cases of minor illnesses like aches and pains, I prefer to go to the nearby panel clinics rather than wait long at government clinics or the general hospital. The health card has made it easier for senior citizens like me to seek treatment.
"We are only required to go to the nearest panel clinic, seek treatment and the charges will be deducted from the card.
"I learned that this is the first time the Pahang government has introduced such an initiative for the elderly and that there are plans to increase the amount next year."
Wan Hasmah hoped the Pahang government would continue to introduce initiatives to help senior citizens enjoy better healthcare facilities and improve their quality of life.
Latifah Omar, 65, a mother of six, said she no longer relied on her children for medical treatment since receiving the medical card a few months ago.
"The card has helped reduce my financial burden. I no longer need to think twice but instead go straight to the panel clinic and the medical cost is deducted from the card.
"Even when I travel to other parts of the state, I can still visit the panel clinic in case I am ill.
"I hope the Pahang government will consider increasing the amount on the medical card next year as this will certainly help a lot of elderly people get immediate medical treatment."
The Pahang Pride Kasih (health card programme for senior citizens) was launched on Jan 18 for senior citizens with health cards worth RM500 for each person. The aid involved an annual allocation of RM10 million for 18,000 recipients.
As for fisherman Shahril Ishak, 42, the RM200 cash assistance provided by the Pahang government under Bantuan Prihatin Pahang (BPP) this year had helped ease his burden, especially with the looming monsoon season.
"Although the sum is small, the state government has not forgotten the fishermen of Beserah.
"With the monsoon season approaching, we may be forced to take up other jobs for a living, and at least we have received some assistance.
"The Pahang government had provided tractors to the fishermen's association here to help pull our fishing boats to the shore. Now we are given cash aid.
"I hope there will be other types of assistance for the fishermen next year, including fishing nets and boat engines."
The Pahang Pride Student aid programme, an initiative by the Pahang government aimed at assisting primary and secondary school students from low-income groups in the state, received the thumbs up from parents.
The discount cards distributed under the programme to students in the Bottom 40 per cent (B40), and Middle 40 per cent (M40) income groups across the state allow them to enjoy a 20 per cent discount when purchasing school supplies from MBS Books and Stationery.
Father-of-three Hanapi Mat Ripin, 48, whose children attend primary and secondary schools here, said it was costly to buy back-to-school supplies when the new school term reopened, but the discount card had helped him plan his expenditure.
"Not only do I need uniforms and school bags, but I also need other school supplies. The card has allowed me to visit the stationery store and make all the purchases under one roof, in addition to a 20 per cent discount.
"This is a timely initiative by the Pahang government to help reduce the burden on parents or guardians, especially from poor families with several school-going children."
Taxi driver Che Wahab Che Pa, 57, said the Pahang government's move to provide assistance to the drivers here showed that they had not been sidelined from the assistance provided to needy people from all layers of society.
"We have been affected since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country in 2020, and the state government has been assisting us by providing cash aid.
"We are often described as 'mini ambassadors' of the country, especially when tourists come to visit famous places here."