By Zareef Muzammil
GOMBAK, July 14 — The state government is in the midst of reviewing two critical welfare initiatives that are currently benefiting millions of residents — the Selangor General Insurance Scheme (Insan) and Skim Mesra Usia Emas (SMUE).
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said his administration plans to improve the two programmes under Iltizam Selangor Penyayang next year to ensure their efficacy and that the benefits are enjoyed by all those qualified.
“We have implemented Insan and SMUE but we noticed that their implementation is lacking,” he said during the Sungai Tua constituency aid presentation event at the Kampung Melayu Wira Damai community hall, here, yesterday.
Taking Insan as an example, Amirudin noted how many Selangor residents still lack awareness of how to file claims under the scheme that provides free group insurance coverage.
“As such, we need to amend the format to make it easier for people to register so that, even after death, people can register to ensure their next-of-kins receive the appropriate assistance and support.”
As for SMUE, Amirudin said while many senior citizens are delighted by the annual RM200 Jom Shopping voucher, death benefit claims under the scheme remain low.
“Next year, I think it’s time we increase the death benefit for families.
“These are among the examples of how we are looking at ways to enhance the value of the Insan and SMUE programmes after initial implementation.
Insan, which was introduced in October 2022, provides free group insurance coverage to six million Selangor residents aged 30 days to 80 years.
SMUE, meanwhile, saw 263,141 individuals receiving cash vouchers last year, while 6,331 families were recipients of the initiative’s death benefit.
