Most pensioners like me were looking forward to the Hari Raya bonus announced by the government.

I was relying on it to give duit raya to my grandchildren. The expenses for Ramadhan month had simply escalated, even with a very pared down budget. Every item is just more expensive.

I went expectantly to my local bank to collect my bonus on Sept 9 only to be told it was not available. I was told to check again on Sept 13, that is after Hari Raya.

According to the bank, they were notified by the government that the bonuses would be paid on Sept 6. But it was not available even on Sept 9.

Who is responsible for this non-payment? Who is sleeping on the job? The Pensions Department, the Treasury or the banks? We want answers!

The net result is that many grandfathers like me have had their Hari Raya blighted by an insensitive government and its empty promises. We have had such a distasteful experience of ‘1Malaysia’ at work.

Am I expected to tell my dear grandchildren to come back for their duit raya four days after Hari Raya?