SANDAKAN: Tanjong Papat assemblyman Alex Thien urged the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to open a rehabilitation centre in Sabah without delay.
He said the facility is needed so contributors from the State who require rehabilitation treatment do not have to be sent to the country’s first such centre in Melaka.
Thien said Sabahans in need of rehabilitation currently face long waiting periods, lengthy travel away from their families and high costs.
“Although contributors receive assistance from Socso, these related factors must also be taken into account. Therefore, a Socso rehabilitation centre should be established in Sabah as soon as possible to ease matters,” he said.
Thien was speaking after attending a meeting at the Sandakan Socso Office on Friday, which was also attended by Sabah Socso Director Mohd Ali Hindia and Sandakan Socso Manager Mohd Fauzi Yusof.
Also present were Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong, Sekong assemblyman Alias Sani and Sungai Sibuga assemblyman Lisa Hassan Alban.
The briefing also touched on four main schemes offered to workers and the self-employed, namely Lindung Pekerja, Lindung Kerjaya, Lindung Kediri and Lindung Kasih, as well as other related matters.
In addition, Alex called on the Government to review Socso benefit rates, which are currently the same for Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
He said this should take into account the higher operating costs in Sabah due to distance, logistics and other requirements.
In a related development, Thien, together with Calvin, Alias and Lisa, highlighted manpower constraints at Socso Sabah, where only 32 staff are assigned to cover a vast area including Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Telupid and Sipitang.
The staff also have to handle industrial accident cases, disability claims, employer matters and workers’ protection needs.
The four assemblymen hoped that the Government would consider increasing manpower to ensure Socso services in Sabah can be delivered more efficiently and effectively.
Meanwhile, Thien encouraged the self-employed in Sabah to register under the Lindung Kediri Scheme as an early protection measure to safeguard their welfare and the financial security of their families and dependants in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
