THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is committed to making Penang Island an age-friendly city by 2025, with ongoing efforts to achieve this goal.
State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said creating an age-friendly environment is important as everyone will eventually grow old.
“The elderly face challenges whether they live in the city or rural areas.
“These challenges include mobility issues, difficulty in accessing services, problems with public transport and a lack of age-friendly infrastructure.
“In addition, accessing services from government agencies can be difficult due to a lack of information, digital barriers, and complicated processes.
“These problems can lead to social isolation, a lower quality of life, and challenges in staying independent for the elderly,” he added.
H’ng shared this insight during the launch of the ‘Age-Friendly City Penang Island Strategic Plan’ book at the Penang Harmony Centre on Sept 7.
(from left) Cheong, Rajendran, H’ng and Ong taking part in the launching ceremony of the ‘Age-Friendly City Penang Island Strategic Plan’ book
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Penang is home to 143,805 senior citizens (aged 65 and above), with 73,975 on the island and 69,830 in Seberang Perai.
“The ‘Age-Friendly City Penang Island’ initiative is the Penang government’s response to the state’s rapidly ageing population and we are targeting completion by 2025.
“MBPP has been tasked with implementing this initiative since 2022.
“Following this, the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) will begin this initiative in 2025.
“By 2028, I believe that Penang will become an age-friendly state,” he added.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, who was also present, said that the ‘Age-Friendly City Penang Island Strategic Plan’ consists of eight domains.
“These domains will help the council prioritise the existence of an environment that promotes active and healthy ageing.
“MBPP wants the elderly to continue to be active and helpful in the age-friendly city development.
“It also encourages interactions between different age groups and builds community spirit by promoting activities that bring people of all ages together.
“MBPP is always open to any form of opinion and cooperation and is ready to support any proposal to make Penang one of the age-friendly cities,” Rajendran added.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia in 2023, the average life expectancy in Malaysia is estimated at 74.8 years, with men averaging 72.5 years and women 77.4 years.
“Based on the United Nations Population Division in 2022, Singapore’s average life expectancy is at the top in Southeast Asia, followed by Thailand in second and Malaysia in third,” Rajendran said.
The ‘Age-Friendly City Penang Island Strategic Plan’ initiative is a tripartite partnership between MBPP, the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), and the Malaysia Healthy Ageing Society (MHAS) to meet the requirements set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Penang was officially declared an Age-Friendly City after MBPP became a member of the Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities on July 28, 2023.
Also present were MBPP secretary Cheong Chee Hong, PWDC chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng, and MBPP Town Planning director Mohd Bashir Sulaiman.
Story & Pix by Tanushalini Moroter