KUCHING: The Sarawak Government Pensioners Association (SGPA) should not be turned into a platform for political purposes as the experience and skills of members should be used for more meaningful functions.

“SGPA is certainly not a place to play politics and the rhetoric game, but it should be for the betterment of the community, the state and members themselves,” said Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan yesterday.

He said SGPA members have the skills and experience to contribute towards development because of their time with the civil service.

Tengah was speaking at SGPA’s 37th annual general meeting (AGM) at the civic centre here.

According to him, SGPA should assist the state’s social agenda by organising religious activities to help mould the younger generation.

He stressed that SGPA members are an important part of the community.

“SGPA members are still an integral part of society, so it will be good if they are involved in social, welfare and religious activities,” said Tengah, who is also Public Utilities Minister.

Tengah added that SGPA members could also contribute to the economy by participating in business.

He suggested the association organise business seminars and workshops to expose members to the various loans and business opportunities provided by the government.

Tengah noted that the government is currently emphasising food production and this would be an area SGPA members could look into joining.

He said the government has increase the acreage for food production from 16,000ha to 47,000 ha.

He also encouraged government pensioners to join the association for their own welfare as well as to have a proper platform to voice their grouses.

There are about 40,000 pensioners in the state, but only 8,000 are SGPA members.

Meanwhile, Tengah said he would follow up on the government’s approval of land here for an SGPA building.

He also pledged an RM15,000 allocation to the association.