The Malacca Bar Committee presented a cheque for the sum of RM30,000.00 to the beneficiary of Balakrishnan a/l Krishnan in a simple ceremony held at the Malacca Bar Secretariat on 2208.2007. The RM30,000.00 was the entitlement to a death benefit from the LawCare insurance scheme which covers all members of the Malaysian Bar.
In his short speech, Ng Kong Peng, the Chairman of the Malacca Bar, said that death, like taxes, is a certainty. However, in times of sorrows, we can cling on to the God given gifts of cherished memories. Ng said the Malacca Bar has cherished memories of the deceased both as a friend and lawyer. While the RM30,000.00 is no replacement for the loss of the late Mr Balakrishnan, Ng said it is an expression of the love and care of the Malaysian Bar for one of its members.
Present at the ceremony was the son of the deceased, Dr. Chandraa Shekar. He thanked the Malaysian Bar for the cheque and said that the insurance scheme implemented by LawCare is a worthy programme. He also added that the Bar Council had handled all the follow up work in obtaining the death entitlement on behalf of the family of the deceased.
Dr Chandraa described the deceased as a very principled, optimistic, motivating and patient man. The deceased left behind his wife, Vimala Devi, 61, son Dr Chandraa and daughter Miss Premlatha Balakrishnan.
With effect from 01.07.2006, all members of the Malaysian Bar in active practice, with a valid Sijil Annual for the current year are automatically covered under an insurance scheme. Members with a valid Practicing Certificate are entitled to claim Partial and Permanent Disability as well as Death Benefits under the said insurance scheme. Apart from the insurance scheme, the Lawcare fund also takes care of members who require financial assistance for medical bills or illnesses, subject to a means test.
Members of the Bar are advised to ensure that they have completed and returned to the Bar Council the nomination forms in respect of the said insurance scheme.
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