look on.
DALAT: Malaysia is heading towards an Aging Nation (Negara Tua) by the year 2030 when 15 per cent of its population will be senior citizens. Statistics indicate that the average life expectancy of Malaysians will be 77 years old for women and 72 for men, meaning we will be on par with developed nations in terms of healthcare system.
Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development, Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah said this yesterday.
The Minister was officiating at the closing of the Mukah Division Senior Citizens Programme at Dalat Community Hall here. Also present at the function were Mukah Resident Awang Johari Awang Mustapha, Deputy Resident Ja c k Aman Luat , Dalat Di s t r ict Of f icer Kueh Lei Poh, Welfare Officer Irene Andrew, Dalat District Senior Citizens Activity Center (PAWE) Chairman, Francis Xavier Klumai, Temenggong Haji Hendi Suhai, local heads of government departments and community leaders.
“This phenomenon is the result of the rapid development of our national health care system and medical science, which enable the life expectancy of our population to reach that age.
“For Sarawak, more than 250,000 will be above 60 years old, which will be a challenge for the government and community, especially in terms of providing a quality social support system such as protection, care, health and other matters related to the prosperity of senior citizens,” she said.
Fatimah also revealed that her ministry had established two institutions – Rumah Seri Kenangan (RSK) Sibu and RSK Kuching. “Both are now under the upgrading process, RSK Kuching will complete its first phase by the end of this year while for RSK Sibu, the works will begin early next year.
“The 45 inmates in Sibu will be temporarily placed at the Datuk Ajibah Abol Children Home, Sri Aman, while the 79 inmates in Kuching, at the Samarahan Rehabi l i tat ion Cent re,” she explained. The Minister also pointed that there are 22 PAWE and senior citizens service centres in the State, with a total membership of 35,000.
Among the PAWEs in the state, she considered PAWE Dalat the most active. “Just for your information, they were champions of the state-level Poco-Poco competition for two consecutive years – last year and this year.
“They had also successfully held various activities for its members like fitness exercises and so forth. In fact, they are the only centre in the state with a security parade squad (Pasukan Kawalan Pembarisan),” she informed.
On the ‘gotong-royong’ programme to repair five houses for the needy in the area, involving members of PAWE Dalat, Fatimah congratulated them for their noble effort.
“It indicates that age is not a hindrance to contribute something positive to the society, especially for the needy in our midst. “They repaired five houses and built a toilet for one of them. Two houses were at Kpg Sungai Ud while the other three at Kpg Hilir Dalat. They involved total expenditure of around RM39,000,” disclosed Fatimah. Fatimah, who is also Dalat Assemblywoman, made a visit to the houses after the closing event.
