Hoh (front row, left) joining Rajiv Rishyakaran (middle row, fifth from right) and Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung (middle row, fourth from right) and their teams to distribute mandarin oranges ahead of Chinese New Year. - Photos: SAMUEL ONG/The Star and courtesy pics
Senior citizens who actively support Selangor’s elected representatives find satisfaction in serving their communities
FOR a few senior citizens, rejoining the workforce after retirement is a personal choice to ensure they stay active, both physically and mentally.
Whether they work full-time or part-time, these senior citizens say they are happy to have a purpose and contribute positively to the community.
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StarMetro spoke to individuals over 60 who work in various capacities at the offices of two of Selangor’s elected representatives to find out why they chose to continue working and their motivation in doing so.
Senior internship
Alice Wong has the distinction of being the pioneer participant of a senior internship programme initiated by Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng.
The 69-year-old described her three-month internship, which ended last month, as an “eye-opening experience”.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect when I submitted my application.
“I just wanted to get out of my house and try something new,” said Wong, who worked as an executive assistant in various industries before opting to retire at 66.
Wong (right) attending to enquiries from a constituent who walked into the Subang Jaya assemblyman’s service centre.
“I was briefed about my role when I joined, but needed guidance on how to handle different matters.”
She helped to handle walk-in, phone and WhatsApp enquiries at Ng’s service centre as well as distribution of vouchers for state programmes and festive items.
“I was familiar with some of the state programmes as a recipient, but I had to learn about others,” said Wong.
“Many people also complained about issues such as clogged drains, potholes and disputes with neighbours.
“I had to explain that these issues fall under the local council and that the complaints should be channelled to the councillor in charge of the area.”
Wong said she was kept busy handling enquiries and complaints during her five-day work week, but enjoyed the experience.
“I learned something new almost every day, and it was an opportunity for me to grow beyond my small bubble.
“For example, I learned that Subang Jaya residents who needed legal assistance (but are financially disadvantaged) could seek help from Selangor Legal Aid Centre.
Ramlah (front row, second from left) helping out a calendar distribution event for Ng’s office in Subang Jaya.
“As there were also interns from universities working at Ng’s office, interacting with young people kept me abreast of what interests them,” she said with a laugh.
Wong lives in USJ11 with her husband; their daughter has migrated to New Zealand.
Wong might now consider travelling with a senior citizen community group and exploring new places with fellow retirees.
“I recommend the senior internship programme to anyone who is interested.
“It is a great opportunity to learn about issues people face and what can be done to address them,” she added.
Participants receive a daily stipend of RM35, and must work a minimum of five days per week.
Community volunteers
For Michael Sundram and Ramlah Ahmad, being senior volunteers is a big part of their community work in Subang Jaya.
Ten years ago, Michael established the SS15/2 and SS15/3 Rukun Tetangga (RT) and its patrol unit, after helping a snatch-theft victim in his neighbourhood.
“The unit still patrols the neighbourhood three times a week on foot and by car.
“Having the unit has helped reduce snatch thefts and break-in cases in our neighbourhood.
“We are the local ‘eyes and ears’ and work very closely with the police,” said the 81-year-old retired police officer.
Michael utilises skills honed over three decades with the police force to manage and communicate with people.
Ramlah, also known in her community as Rina, is the SS15 Hexagon RT secretary and has been with the organisation for close to 10 years.
Michael (centre) at a community event in his Subang Jaya neighbourhood. He is one of the senior volunteers who regularly helps Ng in her programmes.
A former secretary in the automotive industry, she also holds various roles with seven other organisations, including National Council of Senior Citizens Organisation Malaysia and Komuniti Madani Subang Jaya 3.
“I have been active in community work since I retired.
“I get to make more friends with people of all ages. It also keeps me busy and happy.
“I feel blessed to be able to serve the community,” said Ramlah, who has four children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The 68-year-old is also involved in organising programmes or coordinating community events such as the distribution of bubur lambuk during Ramadan, events during National Day celebrations, and healthcare screenings.
Michael said both RTs had worked closely with the Subang Jaya assemblyman’s office over the past decade, helping whenever extra hands were needed.
He has been a volunteer since Hannah Yeoh was elected Subang Jaya assemblyman in 2008, while Ramlah joined towards the end of Yeoh’s second term.
Both have been volunteering for Ng’s team since 2018.
“We help with distribution of festive items and calendars, crowd control measures at public events and logistics arrangements.
“The Covid-19 pandemic years were particularly heartbreaking, as people and welfare homes lacked food,” said Michael, who was involved in aid distribution at that time.
Even though he has a heart ailment and diabetes, Michael said volunteer work allowed him to stay active, both physically and mentally.
He is sometimes accompanied by his wife when patrolling or tending to things at the community garden in his area.
Hoh (right) works with four full-time staff alongside interns at the Bukit Gasing assemblyman’s office.
Ramlah said she also made sure to allocate time for her family in between juggling various responsibilities.
“While my husband has his own circle of friends and activities, he will sometimes join me at events.
“I also invite fellow volunteers and community leaders for gatherings at my house,” she said.
Ramlah said there was also a feeling of family at Ng’s office.
“The younger people sometimes approach me or Michael for relationship or work advice.
“I hope to see more young people volunteering, especially with the RT,” Ramlah added.
“We welcome new faces and fresh ideas; it is also a great way to give back to the community,” said Michael.
Longest-serving staff
Vivien Hoh is the longest-serving staff at the office of Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran.
She has served as office manager since Rajiv opened his service centre in 2013 and she came across the recruitment notice.
“I welcomed the opportunity since I was looking for a job at that time and it was difficult for anyone aged over 40 to find work,” said the 67-year-old.
“It was initially scary for me when I started.
“I didn’t know how local and state governments worked or what politics was about, but Rajiv was always around to provide guidance,” Hoh said.
Her day-to-day duties include planning budgets, processing claims and attending to official correspondence and documents.
She also plans events and this includes overseeing catering, inviting performers and important guests, logistics and dealing with different agencies for arrangements and approvals.
The office has four other full-time staff, as well as one or two interns.
Hoh said she tapped into her previous experience of running her own restaurant, to manage the elected representative’s service centre.
She said a key element of her role was learning how to manage people’s expectations and communication.
“I have learned the importance of allowing individuals to express their frustrations or concerns.
“When appropriate, and if they are open to dialogue, I try to offer constructive solutions.
“There are times when I have needed to apologise repeatedly and remain calm in the face of their anger, even if the issue wasn’t directly caused by me or our office,” she said, referencing a delay in a welfare distribution programme as an example.
Hoh is also currently serving a two-year term as Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman for Kampung Baru Seri Damansara in Section 17, Petaling Jaya.
“My role, which is similar to that of a village chief, involves managing the village, overseeing the residents’ welfare, organising events and dealing with different agencies on various matters,” she said.
“I enjoy interacting with people and find it easy to talk with people of all ages.”
The single mother said she enjoyed being independent and did not like to rely on her son or anyone else for help.
Hoh said the office staff treat her as a colleague, and sometimes sought her out for advice or a listening ear.
Apart from hypertension, Hoh said she was relatively fit and hoped to continue working for as long as possible.
