KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) should conduct a comprehensive safety audit focusing on senior citizens as the capital continues to develop and Malaysia moves towards an ageing society, says Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
He said greater attention must be given to the safety and well-being of elderly residents, particularly in areas involving pedestrian infrastructure, public transport and recreational facilities.
“Something as simple as crossing a road, walking along a pavement, using a pedestrian bridge or getting on and off public transport can present significant safety challenges for senior citizens,” he said when contacted on Saturday (Aug 22).
Lee said poorly maintained pavements, uneven surfaces, inadequate lighting, insufficient pedestrian crossings and a lack of suitable resting areas could increase the risk of falls and other accidents involving the elderly.
He urged DBKL to introduce a “Senior Citizen Safety Audit” of Kuala Lumpur, particularly in areas with a high concentration of elderly residents.
Among the measures he proposed were wider and properly maintained pavements free of obstacles, safer pedestrian crossings with sufficient crossing time, visible road markings and proper lighting.
He also called for ramps and handrails to be installed at suitable locations, while public spaces should be made more accessible to people using walking aids or wheelchairs.
Lee said street lighting should also be improved along pedestrian routes, around public housing areas, markets, parks, bus stops and other locations frequently used by senior citizens.
He proposed providing more benches and sheltered resting areas, as well as improving bus stops and public transport facilities with adequate seating, lighting and safe access from pavements.
Traffic-calming measures should also be strengthened in residential and high-pedestrian areas to reduce vehicle speeds and protect vulnerable road users, he said.
Lee added that illegal parking and other obstructions should be removed as they could force pedestrians, particularly senior citizens, to walk on the road.
“DBKL should also pay greater attention to the safety of senior citizens inside public spaces, including public toilets, community halls, markets, recreational areas and public housing.
“Safety features such as non-slip flooring, adequate lighting, handrails and accessible facilities should become standard considerations in the design and upgrading of public infrastructure,” he said.
Lee also called for senior citizens to be consulted when facilities are being planned or upgraded, saying they were best placed to identify difficulties encountered in their daily activities.
“Kuala Lumpur should not only be judged by the quality of its buildings, roads and commercial centres.
“A truly world-class city is one where people can walk safely, cross roads safely, use public facilities safely and move around with dignity, regardless of their age or physical ability,” he said.
Lee said Kuala Lumpur had an opportunity to become a model age-friendly and safe city as Malaysia moves towards an ageing society.
He urged DBKL to incorporate senior citizen safety into urban planning and infrastructure development instead of treating it as an afterthought.
He also proposed that DBKL develop a “Safe and Age-Friendly Kuala Lumpur” initiative involving urban planners, traffic authorities, health and safety experts, senior citizen organisations and community representatives.
“The objective should be clear: no senior citizen should feel unsafe simply because they are walking around their own city.
“Making Kuala Lumpur safer for senior citizens will ultimately make it safer for everyone – children, persons with disabilities, pedestrians, cyclists and all other vulnerable road users,” he said.
“A safe city is not merely a city with fewer accidents. It is a city designed with people, dignity and safety at its heart," he added.
