MIRI: Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau called for insurance providers to come up with affordable policies to accommodate the financial capabilities of the rural community.
He said that since he became the people’s elected representative for Telang Usan in 2011, many have approached him for financial assistance to cover travelling or daily needs cost especially when going for follow up-treatments at health care providers.
“We need a long-term solution to help our rural folk,” he said.
He also encouraged more rural folk to buy insurance policy as a precautionary measure.
Citing the Allianz KampungKu by Allianz Malaysia Berhad as an affordable insurance plan, Dennis pointed out that it provides emergency relief benefits for the loss caused by natural disasters, and personal insurance for death, permanent disablement and funeral expenses of the insured or an immediate family member.
“People in the rural areas have to change their mind set about proposals such as buying property protection insurance as it is always good to be prepared,” he opined.
Dennis said this went met at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Telang Usan division community service centre in Luak Bay recently after presenting mock cheques of insurance compensation money to the headman of Sungai Dua Baram, Jacob Nawan, and James Engan Jalong, two of the nine victims of a recent windstorm at Kampung Long Sungai Dua located in Baram.
Both Jacob and James received RM1,000 each during the simple handover ceremony.
In the incident on July 23, strong winds blew off the roofs of nine households in the 50-door Kampung Long Sungai Dua.
No casualties or injuries were reported as a result of the calamity brought along by heavy rain.
Dennis, accompanied by Telang Usan District officer Baru Tai and staff from the Miri Welfare Department, went to visit the victims immediately upon being informed by community leader Jacob Lawai Nawan.
Dennis through his service community centre brought immediate aid in the form of food assistance to all nine families.
He added that currently, a total of RM952,000 worth in compensation money have been handed out to 1,100 Allianz KampungKu insurance policy holders from 58 villages in Telang Usan since 2019.
He applauded the efforts of village chiefs in promoting the insurance among the people which had received encouraging response and proven to be a relief to them and their families.
Dennis further said to his knowledge, Allianz KampungKu is the only insurance package for longhouses, which he deemed as a high-risk property.
“They are very concerned for the welfare of the longhouse residents and this insurance package is offered based on their corporate social responsibility policy,” he explained.
With a premium payment of only RM85 for 12 months, the insured will be protected under the insurance plan.
“I hope this compensation from the insurance company and assistance from the state government through the Welfare Department can be used to replace damage caused by natural disasters, or for personal insurance for death, permanent disablement and funeral expenses of the insured or an immediate family member,” Dennis said.
To facilitate the longhouse residents of Telang Usan to participate in the insurance protection plan, Dennis said that the Allianz KampungKu insurance plan forms are being provided at the service centre as part of services provided to their community.
