IPOH: “The whole nation supports your aunt.”
This is the message from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to Nelson Raj P. Nathan, whose aunt E. Philomena is the widow of the security guard who was attacked in a condominium here last year but died recently.
He said the Prime Minister had spoken to him over the phone on the night of Sept 1 and assured him that the Government would provide any assistance that his family needs.
“He (Ismail Sabri) was unable to contact my aunt and reached out to me instead.
“The PM conveyed his condolences. Then he asked about my aunt,” said Nelson Raj, 36, when met at Philomena’s house in Taman Buntong Ria yesterday.
“I told Datuk Seri she was depressed. Then he said the whole of Malaysia, including the Cabinet, supports her. I was really surprised and grateful. I thanked Datuk Seri for his concern,” said Nelson Raj, a tuition teacher.
His uncle S. Thava Sagayam, 64, passed away last Friday. A post-mortem found that he had died of sepsis caused by infection in his lungs.
The security guard sustained head injuries after he was assaulted by a guest following an argument last Dec 29 at the condominium where he was on duty. He was rushed to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in a semi-conscious state.
In January, the assailant was charged in a magistrate’s court with “voluntarily causing grievous hurt” to the victim.
Following Thava Sagayam’s death, police had, on Aug 30 reclassified the case as murder, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.
“There was no update from the police for eight months since the assault. We only got to know on (Aug 29) that the assailant has been charged in January this year, and the court case is on Sept 9,” said Nelson Raj, adding that the accused is out on bail.
Saravanan handing over Socso death benefits to Philomena at her home in Taman Buntong Ria, Ipoh. Present were Mohammed Azman (left) and Socso Perak director Anthony Arul Dass. – RONNIE CHIN/The Star
Philomena, 59, said bail for the accused should be revoked.
“He should not be free. My husband is dead,” she said.
She said her husband, who had worked at the condominium for six years, was merely carrying out his duty according to the rule set by the condominium management that prohibits guests from using the swimming pool during the movement control order.
“His death was senseless,” she said.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan called on her yesterday to present her late husband’s Social Security Organisation (Socso) pension fund and other aid, including RM2,000 for burial costs. Philomena has no children.
Saravanan said it was learnt that Thava Sagayam’s last employer did not contribute to his Socso, but his previous employers did.
The minister warned employers not to take the slow economy as an excuse to stop Socso contributions for their workers, adding that Socso will hold operations with the relevant agencies to check on errant companies.
On Thava Sagayam, he said: “He was the sole breadwinner. Without Socso, what will happen to his widow?”
Saravanan said he plans to invite all security guard firms to discuss the issue of Socso contributions.
“Some firms employ guards above 60 years old, thinking that they need not give them Socso contribution as they are above pension age.
“I will make sure these senior employees get their safety net,” he added.
Socso chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, who was present, said employers could be fined up to RM10,000 and/or jailed two years for not making Socso contributions.
About 10% to 13% of companies in the country, including security guard firms, have been found not making Socso contributions for their employees, he said.
He pointed out that Socso had set up its Skuad Perkeso Prihatin (care squad) in 2015 to track mainstream, electronic and social media reports on cases of non-payment.
“The squad has provided assistance to 2,850 cases since the start of the year. We act swiftly to ensure the affected families get the help they need,” he said.
