THE state government is allocating RM53 million for next year’s i-Sejahtera programme for senior citizens, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
At the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Senior Citizens Association (SCA) Penang at Lot33 Prangin Mall, he said “The state government has plans for our warga emas as they approach their twilight years.
“All of them will be well taken care of, if not by their family members, then at least by the state government through our age-friendly policies.
“We have been making consistent efforts in advocating the importance of active ageing for the past few years.
“The Penang government, in collaboration with the Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society through the Penang Women’s Development Corporation, has been working continuously on this cause,” Chow said in his speech, as reported by Buletin Mutiara.
He said the fact that elderly care homes were mushrooming all over the state indicated that the population was becoming an ageing society.
“Hence, what we are doing is important because it brings the possibilities of positively transforming our current and future social development values.
“We have to be ready with a well-trained and well-informed healthcare system so that we can understand what being a true caregiver means. For this to happen, we need to bridge the inter-generational gaps effectively.
“We begin by instilling positive values in our younger generation to respect, support and provide better care for the elderly population.
“This way, they will also be helping themselves in their own journey towards becoming productive senior citizens in the future. We all need to be prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow,” Chow said.
He also congratulated SCA president Katherine Ong and her management committee for having successfully run the SCA over the years, ensuring the Penang’s seniors would have a place to socialise.
Also present were Chong Eng, the state executive councillor for social development and non-Islamic religious affairs, SCA trustees Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff and Yeoh Ghee Tin, SCA legal adviser Khoo Gaik Yee and SCA medical adviser Dr Prabu Ramasamy.
Chong Eng said it was important for the young and old to pick up a hobby that would occupy their time meaningfully.
“I’m happy to see a number of senior citizens active in dancing.
“Having a hobby will keep their mind active and hence slow down the ageing process. Boredom can kill,” she said.
Ong added that although Covid-19 hampered SCA’s activities for almost three years, the association managed to add 100 new members, bringing its membership to about 800.
Chow, on behalf of SCA, presented ang pow to those aged 60 and above.
