DALAT: The Sarawak government is committed to ensuring the welfare of senior citizens in the state is always safeguarded.
Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said the establishment of the Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE) is one of the government’s initiatives to strengthen the wellbeing of this group.
“PAWE serves as a place for the elderly to carry out daily activities within the community and offers social companionship services.
“In Dalat, we have one PAWE, established on Dec 9, 2013 and relocated to the Dalat Welfare Complex on Aug 5, 2021.
“As of July 2025, there are 1,120 registered members of Dalat PAWE, comprising 505 men and 615 women,” she said.
She stated this when delivering her speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Dalat PAWE Biennial General Meeting for 2025–2027, held at the Dalat Welfare Complex yesterday.
Besides PAWE, the government also provides various other initiatives for senior citizens.
These include the Senior Citizens Assistance (BWE), Rumah Seri Kenangan (RSK) in Kuching and Sibu, Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC), Bereavement Compassion Assistance (BIK), and the Senior Citizen Health Benefit (SCHB).
In line with this, Fatimah, who is also the Dalat assemblywoman, advised senior citizens to regularly engage in light exercises.
“It doesn’t have to be running. Activities like poco-poco exercises also count as physical activity.
“The facilities available at PAWE should be utilised optimally to ensure everyone benefits,” she further explained.
In addition, Fatimah advised those appointed as the chairperson of Dalat PAWE to always ensure the centre remains active.
She added that PAWE members are encouraged to maintain cooperation, strengthen social bonds, and continue supporting one another.
Following the ceremony, Fatimah visited the Sarawak Centre of Technical Excellence (CENTEXS) Dalat Campus and the Dalat District Organic Fertiliser Processing Centre.
