KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah authorities ought to present extra particulars on the free group insurance coverage protection to the individuals, says state Umno info chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir.
Its info chief, Datuk Suhaimi Nasir, stated that whereas the initiative displays concern for public welfare, significantly amongst low-income teams, it should be managed with clear mechanisms, sustainable monetary planning, and public accountability.
He stated the federal government should clarify the way it intends to fund insurance coverage protection for 3.5 million residents, particularly if the complete value is borne by the state.
“Protecting such numerous individuals will undoubtedly require a major monetary dedication. If state funds are getting used, you will need to assess how this can have an effect on allocations for important sectors equivalent to healthcare, schooling, and rural infrastructure,” he stated in an announcement on Thursday (April 10).
Suhaimi additionally questioned the three-year length of the scheme, from Might 1, 2025, to April 30, 2028, asking whether or not there are long-term plans in place to make sure its continuity past that interval.
“With out a broader coverage framework, there’s a danger this might find yourself as a short-term programme with restricted lasting influence on social wellbeing,” he stated.
He additionally referred to as on the federal government to elucidate how state-owned Progressive Insurance coverage Bhd was appointed to run the scheme and whether or not the choice was performed by an open tender or direct negotiation.
“Good governance calls for accountability and transparency when managing public funds,” he stated.
As well as, he urged the state to obviously define how the “automated” enrolment will work to keep away from points equivalent to knowledge duplication, exclusion of eligible people, or misuse of assets.
“We might additionally wish to know if the insurance coverage protection quantity of RM10,000 for private accidents and RM500 for demise profit is ample to fulfill present cost-of-living pressures, significantly for households who lose their main breadwinners,” he requested.
Suhaimi pressured that the federal government should present detailed info on how the scheme will likely be monitored and measured to make sure it actually advantages the individuals in the long term.
“Sabah Umno calls on the state authorities to obviously outline the administration mechanisms, funding sources, and success indicators for this scheme. Solely with such transparency can the initiative be actually impactful and sustainable,” he added.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun had introduced, following the weekly Sabah Cupboard assembly on Wednesday (April 9), that the accepted free insurance coverage scheme will likely be supplied for free of charge to eligible people, from infants to these aged 80.
The insurance coverage claims course of is designed for effectivity, with payouts made inside 14 to 30 days after submission of full documentation.
Masidi stated the initiative displays the Sabah authorities’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare of the individuals, significantly these within the B40 group, whereas easing their monetary burdens.
