KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 — The survivor pension benefits payment to the heirs of Gillian Donald, who died of excessive smoke inhalation after heroically saving the lives of seven people in a fire in Merinding Garden, Labuan, in January, will be expedited.
Social Security Organisation (Socso) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said a review found that Gillian, 41, was covered under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969.
The deceased is eligible to receive a RM2,000 one-time payment as a funeral benefit as well as the survivor pension benefit, the amount of which is in the process of being finalised before payment is made to his next of kin.
“Gillian’s wife, Siti Juana Maarop, 39, will receive the Survivor Pension Benefit for her lifetime, while the three children, aged four to 4 to 15, will receive the benefit until they reach 21 years old if they are unmarried and can be extended if they continue their studies to their first degree,” he said in a statement today.
On January 24, Gillian was willing to risk his life in a fire in order to save the lives of seven members of his neighbour’s family, including children and an elderly person who were trapped in a fire in a terraced house, before he collapsed and died believed to be from excessive smoke inhalation.
Azman also expressed his condolences to the deceased’s family and hopes the assistance offered will help a little to ease their burden.
— Bernama
