Soon after the election, the first DAP leader that Tanjong Gerakan Youth cross swords with was against YB Phee Boon Boh regarding the issuing of Warga Mas (senior citizen) identification card. It is a lifetime card, which currently can be used for discount when using Rapid Penang.
There was a bureaucratic problem at the Welfare Department soon after GE12 that caused the discontinuation of the Warga Mas cards. YB Phee was not aware of that and had subsequently apologize to us thru sms.
Periodically, I receive sms from YB Phee which provide us with a brief update on the welfare department. He will even apologize in advance for any inconvenience caused when his director is out of town.
The Penang DAP leaders should learn from him, especially his commitment to do his duties well. Unlike LGE who spend most of his time on negativities. YB Phee is the most senior ADUN and a real Penangites from DAP, he should be the Chief Minister of Penang not a Malaccan.
The Warga Mas cards was an issue close to our hearts, as we fought within Gerakan to maintain the card when Rapid Penang start issuing their annual senior citizen card. At that time, the Welfare department was thinking of stopping the cards. We put a stop to that with Sdra. Mark Ooi help. Our reasonings were that:-
- Rapid Penang cards need to be renewed annually with a fees, unlike the Warga Mas cards, they are totally free and for life.
- The issuing of the Warga Mas cards by the Welfare Department allows any service centers or civil organisations to assist in collecting the documents for issuing the cards. Senior citizens just need to go to their nearest service centers.
- The Warga Mas cards have the potential to be used for other discount purposes in the future such eateries, pharmacies, medical equipments, etc. It was a program that we had discussed in the Tanjong Gerakan Youth, unfortunately with the GE12 loss, it will extremely difficult to implement the program.
- In the future, the cards can also be acknowledged by other transport providers not just Rapid Penang or other mode of transports, etc.
- Warga Mas cards can also be used as an identification card in lieu of the IC or MyKad.
As a Gerakan member, I believe that we should work "with" the Pakatan Rakyat government especially on welfare issues but of course not "within".
3 comments:
From the way you described about YB Phee Boon Boh, yes he's a gentleman. He was even dare to apologize for his unintentional failure to notice. Probably, he was not briefed by the officer concerned?
Agreed. Others in the new office should take this as a model for any further development.
Keep up the good works, both Sdra H'ng and YB Phee (formerly a Gerakan member)!
This should be the way forward i.e. members from both divides should work together towards improving the welfare of the people of Penang and not engage in any unnecessary politickings.
The photo looks nice... hehe!
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