SHAH ALAM, 22 Jan: The Senior Citizens Scheme (SMUE – Skim Mesra Usia Emas) successfully registered 70 percent of eligible senior citizens in Selangor since it was first launched on 1 October 2008 till 31 December 2013.

SMUE Chief Operating Officer, Kamsani Nasir, said that they believe that the figure can increase in the future to ensure that more senior citizens are eligible to enjoy the state’s wealth.

He said that the 70 percent covers 219,771 senior citizens and people with disabilities (PWD) throughout Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

“It is an impressive achievement and we are working hard to make sure that the registrations for SMUE will increase,” he said in an interview with Selangor Kini.

He said that until 31 December 2013, the State Government has paid out RM109.220 million to registered nominees.

Through the SMUE, upon a member’s death, their registered nominee can claim a contribution of RM1,000 from the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Service Centre in the area the deceased was registered and the remainder RM1,500 will be presented in a special ceremony.

“In addition to easing the burden of beneficiaries in settling matters to do with the deceased, the RM2,500 also serves to accommodate the payment for funeral expenses and burial or to settle the debts of the deceased,” he said.

He said that government agencies have been urged to cooperate with SMUE in enhancing the number of registrations of senior citizens in the state.

According to Kamsani, senior citizens who deal with government agencies can propose and lead them to Pejabat Urusan Rantaian Emas Sdn Bhd at the Darul Ehsan Building to be registered into the SMUE.

“Apart from SMUE’s efforts to track senior citizens with the role of the District Office and Community Service Centres in every DUN, other government agencies can also help us.

“Such partnerships will boost the registration figures so that more senior citizens will be eligible to receive the benefits from the state’s wealth,” he said.

He proposed this by citing the example of the Petaling District Office that gave good cooperation in tracking and registering eligible senior citizens in the province.

“The Petaling District Office was willing to open a registration counter at focus areas of senior citizens such as night markets. This effort should be made an example,” he added.

SMUE is one of the seven agendas in the Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor (MES) Phase 1, which was introduced by the Pakatan Rakyat government.