Sarawak mulling insurance scheme for welfare aid to elderly

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (second left) handing over assistance of RM110,000 to Sarawak Hearing and Aural Rehabilitation Society deputy president Alexander Stephen for a cochlear implant for three-year-old Mervina Tadu Stanley at the state Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Ministry's anniversary celebration.

KUCHING: The Sarawak state government is studying the formulation of an insurance scheme to provide welfare assistance for senior citizens, says Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Chief Minister said this was necessary as the elderly population was expected to grow in the coming years.

"We are heading towards an aging population and the costs involved will be high.

"As such, the state government is now thinking that an insurance scheme has to be formulated so that senior citizens will have sufficient funds to cover their cost of living," he said at the 10th anniversary celebration of the state Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Ministry here on Wednesday (Oct 6).

Abang Johari said the state government was studying the best instrument to provide welfare and financial assistance to the elderly.

"We have to face this reality and we need a certain instrument to give assistance to this group," he said.

Abang Johari also said the state government planned to create recreational centres with healthcare facilities for senior citizens in residential areas under its housing policy.

He said a pilot project was being developed at Kampung Sungai Bedaun here, while similar centres would be set up at Darul Hana here and Kemuyang in Sibu under the 12th Malaysia Plan.

"We will create these recreational parks as centres for senior citizens to gather and interact.

"The centres will be equipped with healthcare facilities that can be run by the government and private sector together," he said.

Earlier, state Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the ministry's plans included developing policies, facilities and services for an aging population in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia's MyAgeing Institute.

For senior citizens, she said, the ministry had introduced the Kenyalang Gold Card last year which provided discounts and other benefits from participating businesses.

"We have also set up service and activity centres for senior citizens as a place for them to interact, be productive and enjoy recreational facilities," she said.