Easing their burden: Sivakumar (second from left) presenting the contribution from Socso to Edna and her children as Mohammed Azman Aziz looks on. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
GOMBAK: The death of Lee Eng Dong, 61, after an accident on the North-South Highway has left all his children in a sombre mood.
Zi Long, 24, the eldest of his four children, said they were shocked when the doctor told them that their father would not survive due to the brain injury he suffered in the accident on Feb 15.
“Nothing could have prepared us for what happened. We prayed and prayed that he would survive, but he died 12 days later in the intensive care unit.
“We are grateful to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) for its contribution to our family following this tragedy,” he said.
Lee’s accident caught the attention of the Socso Prihatin Squad when the case was reported in the media. It took proactive action to contact his employer to gather information about him.
The case was accepted as a work fatality and Lee’s dependents were deemed eligible for benefits under the Occupational Disaster Scheme, Employee Social Security Act of 1969 (Act 4).
Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar presented Socso contributions and extended condolences to Edna Hipolito Amos, Lee’s widow, at their home in Batu Caves yesterday.
Also present was Socso chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.
Edna and her youngest son Zi Young, 19, will receive the monthly dependent interest payment (FOT) of RM3,795.
Edna will receive FOT payments for life, while Zi Young will receive his until he turns 21 or completes his first degree.
A one-time funeral management benefit of RM2,000 was also given to the family.
“Taking heed of the accident that befell Eng Dong, I urge all employers to continue contributing to their employees even if they are over 60.
“This is to ensure that they and their families get protection under the Socso Occupational Disaster Scheme,” said Sivakumar.
He added that out of 70,948 accident cases reported to Socso from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2022, some 32,440, or 45.7%, were road accidents.
He said 929 fatal accidents were reported in the same period.
“Of that number, 651 cases, or 70% of the fatal accidents, occurred during the journey to and from work. As such, I want to remind all workers to always be careful while on the road,” he added.
