KUCHING: Sarawak is striving to build a society where ageing becomes a shared responsibility, rooted in inter-generational connection, inclusive policies and strong community participation.
Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the state’s vision was to uphold solidarity between generations and ensure every senior citizen remained connected, active and valued.
She stressed that this approach required close collaboration among strategic agencies, local authorities and community partners to create opportunities that supported safe and dignified ageing.
“This is the kind of society we strive to build in Sarawak — one that promotes equal opportunities and respects our older citizens.
“In Sarawak, we recognise this reality, and we are acting on it by strengthening our systems to allow seniors to live actively and safely.
“The well-being of our elderly is not just a policy, but a commitment built on respect, care and collective social accountability,” she said during the Sarawak International Conference on Ageing (SICA) 2025 opening ceremony here today (Oct 28).
Fatimah noted that Sarawak had rolled out initiatives to ensure ageing was meaningful, dignified and supported by strong social systems.
Among them are the Kenyalang Gold Card, Senior Citizen Health Benefit, Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak, Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE), Senior Citizen Service Centre (PPWE), as well as mobile outreach services.
She asserted that these programmes eased financial burdens, expanded healthcare access and created social hubs that kept older Sarawakians engaged and connected.
“The RM50 million Senior Citizen Health Benefit scheme alone provides up to RM500 annually for cashless treatment at more than 290 clinics.
“PAWE and PPWE centres, meanwhile, serve as vital hubs for recreation, inter-generational activities and health programmes across the state.
“We are also enhancing mobile services to ensure that seniors in rural longhouses and remote villages are not left behind,” she added.
Fatimah said new measures were also being developed, including the Sarawak Older Persons Policy which focuses on active ageing, lifelong learning and rights protection.
She noted that Sarawak would also empower community hubs, expand volunteer mobilisation and encourage intergenerational support through structured engagement programmes.
“We are mobilising volunteers through Sukarelawan Kebajikan, Skuad Sayang and the Pay Back Programme, inspired by the Time Bank model overseas.
“This approach allows people to contribute time to care for the elderly and earn ‘social credits’ redeemable when they themselves require care,” she said.
As such, she said cross-agency collaboration and digitalisation of welfare services would further enhance elderly care and improve access for seniors and caregivers.
“Caring for the elderly is not merely a welfare agenda but a shared moral and social responsibility that must be upheld across our society,” she stressed.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Sarawak is among four states projected to record life expectancy above the national level in 2025.
Samarahan is expected to record the highest in the country at 80.9 years by 2025, while Kanowit is projected at the lowest with 66.5 years.
Overall, 30 out of 156 districts in Malaysia have surpassed the national level, with the highest for men recorded in Kinabatangan and women in Telupid, Sabah.
