According to a study by the Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing™), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Sarawak will reach the status of an ageing region by 2028, with 16 per cent out of the total population of 2.8 million expected to be aged 60 and above.
It is a reality that has been reiterated by Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development YB Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah over the past year, noting that the Sarawak Government through Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Kanak-kanak dan Kesejahteraan Komuniti (KPWK) recognises the challenges and potential impact of an ageing population.
“The trend of the elderly population in Sarawak has increased by 0.55 per cent every year since 2020, with the total elderly population reaching 311,600 people – equivalent to 12.6 per cent in 2022 compared to 12.05 per cent in 2021,” she said during her winding up speech at the Third Meeting of the First Session of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on 29 November 2022.
As it sets to tackle ageing issues in Sarawak, her ministry has established a close bilateral collaboration with MyAgeing™ on research, development, commercialisation and innovation related to ageing and the elderly.
Most crucially, beginning 2023, it will conduct a study titled ‘Research on Preparation for An Ageing Nation: The Profile of and Ageing Issues Affecting the Elderly in Sarawak’ that aims:
- To map the profile of the elderly in Sarawak, i.e. geographical distribution, as well as socio-economic, living arrangements and health profile;
- To identify ageing issues and challenges;
- To evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of existing interventions and programmes; and
- To recommend strategies and action plans to address ageing issues in Sarawak.
It will involve three universities that will gather data across the southern, central and northern regions of the State: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, University of Technology Sarawak and Curtin University Malaysia.
The research as a whole is expected to encompass various aspects concerning the ageing society – for example, financial security or social protection; household expenditure; health and well-being; housing and transport; lifelong learning; family care and support; and intergenerational relationship.
“The outcome of the study will see the recommendation of targeted, evidence-based, effective and sustainable intervention and programmes to address ageing issues, including healthy, active, productive and positive ageing, affecting the elderly people in Sarawak.
“It will also include comprehensive recommendations for an elderly policy for Sarawak and a systematic and structured Ageing Nation Action Plan 2023-2030 for Sarawak covering short, medium and long-term plans,” explained Dato Sri Fatimah in a September 2022 press conference, as quoted by The Borneo Post.
Ongoing Welfare Services for the Elderly in Sarawak
At the DUN sitting in November 2022, Dato Sri Fatimah also provided updates on initiatives implemented by her ministry that aligned with Dasar Warga Emas Negara (DWEN) in supporting healthy, positive and active ageing:
Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) and Bantuan Ihsan Kematian (BIK)
Since its introduction in 2020 (and as of October 2022), 218,935 elderly people have applied successfully to become Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) holders. Relatively, 407 businesses or strategic partners have registered as KGC vendors.
In the same period, 10,073 heirs have received the Bantuan Ihsan Kematian (BIK) assistance, involving a total value of RM30.2 million.
Rumah Seri Kenangan
To ensure that the elderly who have no heir receive quality care and protection, the Sarawak Government has spent RM25.9 million to rebuild Rumah Seri Kenangan (RSK) Kuching with a capacity of 156 residents, as well as RM15.8 million to reconstruct the first phase of RSK Sibu which can accommodate the needs of up to 50 residents.
To date, there are 60 residents living at RSK Kuching and 30 residents at RSK Sibu. The oldest is aged 100 and has been a resident of RSK Sibu since 2012, while the youngest is 62 years old living at RSK Kuching since 2022.
Elderly Caregiver Training Course
For the first time, the ministry’s Jabatan Wanita dan Keluarga Sarawak (JWKS) has organised a training course that aims to provide exposure and basic knowledge in the care and management of the elderly in the community.
Held in Kuching from 25 to 31 July 2022, Kursus Penjagaan Warga Emas was run by Think Big Training Sdn Bhd and was attended by 25 participants comprising caregivers and those interested in giving elderly care services.
Senior Citizen’s Day Celebration
The State-level Senior Citizen’s Day celebration took place in Bintulu on 1 October 2022. Themed ‘Resilience and Contribution of Golden Age’, it was organised to appreciate and recognise the role of the elderly in the development of Sarawak, specifically and Malaysia, generally.
Over 900 guests attended physically and 2,857 from across the State joined virtually, while 45 agencies held exhibitions during the event.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the ‘We are United in Health’ programme, where 3,757 senior citizens from all divisions of Sarawak were involved in aerobic exercise activities. The programme was then recognised by the Malaysian Book of Records.
