FORMER state executive councillor Chong Eng and Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, recently appointed trustees of the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged, have affirmed their commitment to prioritising the wellbeing of the residents.
Chong Eng, previously responsible for the Social Development and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee in the state government, expressed her intention to acquaint herself with the objectives and mission of the Silver Jubilee Home.
“I want to know the needs of the residents. The well-being of the residents is my priority, and I aim to foster a more homely environment for the residents. I want to encourage them to have an active and healthy lifestyle.
“This is in line with the state’s active ageing policy and the concept of an Age-Friendly City,” Chong Eng told Buletin Mutiara in an interview.
Sim acknowledged that the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged, located in Jalan Sungai Dua, is one of the most well-run centres for the elderly in Malaysia.
“We will continue the excellent work. There is room for improvement. We will look into probably enlarging the centre for more people to benefit if we have the resources. If we can get more donations, we can explore building extra facilities.
“The main thing is to stay with the original intention of caring for the aged. Any unutilised land may be used for small-scale agriculture for the old folks, but not commercial farms,” Sim said.
Chong Eng and Sim, along with Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan, were appointed trustees by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak based on the recommendation of the state government.
Chong Eng and Sim’s tenure started on Dec 7 this year and ends on Dec 31 next year while Kumaresan’s term will start from Jan 1 to Dec 31 next year.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is the chairman of the Penang and Province Wellesley Silver Jubilee Fund Board of Trustees.
The land housing the Silver Jubilee Home and the unutilised portion of vacant land within its premises belongs to the Penang and Province Wellesley Silver Jubilee Fund.
The late Cheah Leong Keah aspired to initiate this community service several decades ago to ensure the well-being of the underprivileged elderly population in Penang.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of YB Sim Tze Tzin’s office