More than 200 people aged 60 and above have not received their monthly stipend from the Petaling district welfare department office in Subang Jaya due to a payment processing delay by the state government.

"We're not sure when the cheques are coming in from the state but we'll disburse them as soon as we get them," said Petaling district welfare services officer Mohamad Fazari Salleh when contacted today.

It is not known if similar problems persist in other districts.

Mohamad Hazari was asked to comment on complaints by a recipient of the Skim Bantuan Orang Tua claiming that he has not received payments since October and had been given the runaround.

K Christamby @ Manickam, 66 ( photo ), had registered with the department for welfare aid in April and began receiving payments in July. However, the RM135 due to him stopped in October.

His welfare card recorded payments made one month in advance between July and September.

Asked about this, Mohamad Hazari said the payment vouchers are usually sent to the state accountants for approval before being returned to the department for distribution.

"Since we don't get the cheques back on the same month, we make payments one month in advance."

No money for transport

Although the scheduled payment date was Nov 5, Christamby said he was asked to return to the department's office in Subang Jaya two days later, and subsequently after two more days.

"I have to take two buses to get there. Alternatively, if I take a taxi it would cost me RM10 for a one-way trip," he said when met near his home in Ladang Glenmarie, Shah Alam, yesterday.

His plight was raised by Kampung Saujana residents action committee member S Natchymuthu who happened to be at the same welfare office in Subang Jaya early this week for another matter.

"It is very difficult for me to go there repeatedly just to pick up the cheque when I don't even have enough money for transport."

Despite trying to call the department before going as he usually does, Christamby said he was unable to get anyone because the (only) line was always engaged.

During his last visit two days before Deepavali, he claimed an officer had told him that the money had not arrived and to come again after the Hari Raya break.

"Another officer took me aside and asked me to check again next week. He then gave me RM10 and told me to go home."

Citing a similar plight of a neighbour, he said the RM120 payment was paid in two instalments.

"He was given RM40 first and told to collect the remaining RM120 together with the full payment of RM160 due to him the following month."

"He alleged that the welfare officer was arrogant and adamant about paying the smaller sum."

Christamby had previously tapped rubber trees for 20 years before becoming a foreman for another two decades. His five daughters left home after getting married, leaving him with his only son and wife.

RM20m for 13,000 people

The scheme covers senior citizens who live alone, those without any children or whose children are irresponsible, or those living with non-family members.

Besides this scheme, the welfare department provides financial aid for poor children, disabled workers, flood relief and general assistance.

In 2003, the welfare department disbursed about RM20 million to about 13,000 persons under the Skim Bantuan Orang Tua nationwide.

Asked to comment, Natchymuthu said there was something wrong in the department's handling of the villagers' application for flood aid.

He said a total of 48 families had applied for compensation in May after major floods hit the village located adjacent to Sungai Damansara.

"Only 24 families have been paid so far, each getting only RM200 when some suffered thousands of ringgit in losses," he said when met in Shah Alam yesterday.

"Due to technicalities of house ownership, the remaining 24 families were told to lodge police reports and re-submit their applications. Till today, we're still waiting for the measly sum."

While at the welfare office, he said he noticed an officer making payments from money taken out from his own pocket.

Saying he was shocked to see this happen with his own eyes, he asked, "Shouldn't our (government's) money be kept elsewhere and not in the civil servants' pockets?"

"In fact, we were told to erect a tent and prepare for a presentation ceremony that is to be graced by local political leaders and the state assemblyperson complete with media coverage.

"How do you expect us to spend a sum larger than the welfare relief on politicians and VIPs?" he asked.

Seri Setia state assemblyperson Seripah Noli Syed Ibrahim and welfare officials could not be reached for comment.