RESIDENTS of 1Razak Mansion in Kuala Lumpur will soon be able to attend free Bahasa Malaysia and English language classes under a new government initiative.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the move was part of a bigger effort to improve the community’s well-being and promote unity.
“For those who would also like to learn Mandarin or any other language, we could provide those too,” she said at the launch of the Razak Mansion Muhibah Hall and Food Forest.
Yeoh said Putrajaya had rolled out a programme offering free language classes in English, Mandarin, Arabic and Korean to children.
She hoped to replicate it at 1Razak Mansion, beginning with two languages.
The minister also announced plans to expedite handover of an empty field near 1Razak Mansion to its management corporation (MC) for recreational activities.
“Once the field is under the MC, I will be working on building a jogging track.
“Some residents may not like dance or tai chi classes.
“If there’s a jogging track, senior residents can walk to exercise and do so in their own time.”
Yeoh is keen to promote Kuala Lumpur as a safe and smart city for elderly people living on their own.
“I am looking into working with Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to see how we can make this city safer for our senior citizens, starting with a pilot project at 1Razak Mansion.
“We will be putting sensors in place to monitor senior residents living alone.
“If they faint or if there is no movement in the house, an alarm will be triggered to inform the management to help.
“We will need to get permission from the families here to carry out this pilot project.
“The matter will be discussed with 1Razak Mansion MC chairman Anthony Tan,” she added.
During the launch, several memoranda of understanding were signed between parties involved in community-related projects.
These include 1,000 Hope Boxes for 1Razak Mansion, along with initiatives on recycling education, mental wellness, organic waste composting, a community wellness centre and the Sungai Kerayong project.
Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, who was present at the launch, said construction of a pedestrian walkway linking to nearby Salak Selatan LRT station would open for tender in January 2027.
The project led by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is set to begin in March 2027.
Fong also requested Yeoh to review the timeline to help expedite the process.
In his speech, Fong said national progress must be translated into tangible benefits for everyone.
“We have resources and social cohesion,” he said.
“We are well balanced, and this will contribute to a stronger economy.”
Razak Mansion Food Forest is a community programme planting herbs and vegetables in a previously underutilised area.
