Ailing Malay Indian ex-pilot 'shunned' by social security outfit

Ipoh (Malaysia), Sep.17 (ANI): For 17 years, Malay Indian pilot Gurdeep Singh contributed diligently to the Social Security Organisation (Socso).

Now, in his time of need, the 44-year-old former employee of Malaysia Airline claims Socso has shunned him.

His predicament started in July 2006 after being diagnosed with vertigo.

"Despite being certified as suffering from the condition, the organisation still refused to pay the benefits entitled to me," The Star quoted him as saying yesterday.

Due to his situation, he said MAS terminated his services in 2007.

At a press conference called by Perak Barisan Nasional Public Services and Complaints Centre chairman Datuk Lee Kon Yin here, Gurdeep said he had raised the matter to the organisation's appeals board.

"My claims were approved by the board chairman and she subsequently ordered the organisation to pay me," he said.

However, he said no payment from Socso had arrived so far.

Gurdeep, who is now unemployed, said he had made countless trips to the Socso office and seen many people to seek help to solve his problem.

Lee said he would help Gurdeep raise the matter with Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam. (ANI)