Fortune favours widow after 23 years of saving

SEREMBAN - IF she had stuck to her decision to withdraw her RM20,000 (S$7,700) savings of 23 years, luck would not have favoured Rokeah Mohd Sidek.

Now, the 77-year-old from here has become an instant millionaire.

"I just could not believe my ears on hearing my name on the television last night (Saturday). I could not sleep a wink.

"I was shocked and cried, not for joy, but because the amount is too big for an elderly person like me and I now fear for my security," she said at her home here.

Rokeah was announced the winner of RM1 million in Bank Simpanan Nasional's (BSN) Premium Savings Certificate (SSP) draw held in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

The mother of four said she was watching the news on television with one of her sons when her name was announced.

"We exchanged glances and just sat there for a moment before I burst into tears. Minutes later ,we received calls from relatives and friends about the news.

"However, we could not verify it as there were no calls from BSN until noon today (yesterday)."

Rokeah, whose husband died of heart attack 31 years ago, had told one of her sons of her intention to withdraw her SSP savings last week.

"However, my son advised me against it, saying that the savings would benefit me in the long run."

Rokeah said last year, she received BSN's SSP monthly lucky draw of RM100 after 22 years of saving.

"However, I felt that the amount was too little after so many years of saving up. I wanted to invest the money in other funds in the hope of higher dividends.

"If not for my son's advice then, I would have withdrawn all the money and lost out on this bonanza."

Rokeah, who could not contain her tears during the interview, said she had been using her late husband's pension to save up for SSP every month.

She saved about RM400 every month in her SSP account.

"I did not know the privilege of saving with SSP until a BSN officer elaborated it to me, saying that I might receive a windfall one day if I was patient enough.

"I never thought that today was the day."

Rokeah said she would use some of the money to perform her haj pilgrimage for the second time and would hold a doa selamat ceremony.

"I still don't have plans on what to do with the rest of the money for the time being."

She also encouraged the people to inculcate the habit of saving up for a better future.

"Even though I have been a single mother for years and have been depending on my late husband's pension, I would find ways to save every month."

BSN Islamic Banking Department senior vice-president Mohd Sofi Mat Jahaya said Rokeah was the first person to receive BSN's SSP annual lucky draw of RM1 million since it started in 1978.

Previously, he said, the annual grand prizes comprised luxury cars. He said the RM1 million would be deposited into Rokeah's SSP account within a week.

"BSN will hold another monthly draw in Kuantan next month, where we will announce the prizes for the 2014 draws."