In preparation for challenges that are soon to be presented by the ageing society in Sarawak, the Sarawak Government through the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Sarawak (KWKPK) has developed the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC).
With the tagline ‘Life Begins at 60’, the initiative that is dedicated to Sarawakian senior citizens will enhance their well-being and welfare through the provision of facilities and benefits in forms of discounts, rebates and other privileges from a variety of organisations and commercial sectors.
It will also give an opportunity to Sarawakians to care and give back to the ageing population – expected to reach about 520,000 by 2030 – through advantages that can enrich the population’s quality of life.
Although the card was launched on 7th March 2020, senior citizens have been able to register to become cardholders since January 2020 through forms that can be obtained at Sarawak Social Welfare Department offices, Resident offices, District offices or the KWKPK website.
Subsequently, as of 4th March 2020, KWKPK has received a total of 133,342 applications, which is around 40 percent of 334,500 senior citizens in Sarawak based on the 2020 Population statistics.
In keeping up with demands for the card, the ministry has also managed to print more than 17,000 cards that will be distributed with assistance from government and non-governmental organisations.
Additionally, to further support this initiative, the Sarawak Government has allocated RM24,493,635 to the ministry for their implementation.
Card registration is applicable to all Sarawakian senior citizens who are aged 60 and above by 1s January 2020, provided that they hold a Malaysian identification card with a status ‘K’ or are permanent residents of Sarawak.
Cardholders can then use it for products and services by businesses that are strategic partners of this initiative; as of March 2020, there are 46 partners throughout Sarawak, with the majority in Kuching, Miri and Limbang.
These products and services include groceries, clothing, optical service, personal care, reflexology, massage and spa, manicure/ pedicure, hairdressing, public transportation such as express buses, and healthcare services such as medical and rehabilitation. Another benefit of the card is the Death Compassionate Assistance for cardholders that do not receive similar assistance from other departments or agencies. The assistance that will have to be requested and assessed on a case-by-case basis offers up to RM3, 000 to cover funeral expenses on the death of cardholders who do not have next-of-kin or come from poor families.
First featured in RAKAN Sarawak January – March 2020 printed issue
