I AM writing on behalf of an ex-policeman’s widow from Sungai Petani, Kedah.

Her husband, a retired policeman, the late Ooi Kim Bock, died last year and since he was a member of the “Persatuan Bekas-Bekas Polis Malaysia” (membership number 14691), she claims that she is entitled to RM1,000 for funeral expenses.

Yet today, almost two years since her husband’s death, she has yet to receive a single sen. Instead of empathising with the widow, government red tape has caused her more hardship.

She had gone to the society’s branch office many times but at each visit, she would be turned away with the staff citing delays in documentation procedures at the Home Ministry, Putrajaya.

She was told to go to Putrajaya herself if she wanted to speed up the process. How do they expect a 74-year-old widow to go to Putrajaya to settle the issue? Wouldn’t she be wasting her time and money to pursue it by herself?

The government red tape is the main cause of the delay in releasing the funds to her. Why “punish” her further by sending her to Putrajaya?

She was also informed that she is not the only widow who has not received what was due to her and was told to be patient like the others. The lack of concern by the branch staff in assisting the widows of ex-policemen is simply inexcusable.

One wonders whether these are rare cases or the tip of the iceberg. It would be a shame if the funds are only released after the widows have no more strength to pursue the matter or die waiting in vain.

With the present economic uncertainty, the release of the RM1,000 to the widows would greatly ease their burden.

The ex-policemen have given their all and some even lost their lives in the line of duty.

Red tape that hinders the release of funds to deserving recipients only shows the lack of concern by the respective government bodies and the lack of appreciation of the sacrifices made by the deceased.

DELREN TERRENCE DOUGLAS, Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – December 31, 2008