THE Penang government is committed to empowering the senior citizens in the state to be more involved in civic and economic participation.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow noted that Penang is the second ageing state in the country with 14.9% of its population aged 60 and above. The 2021 data is by the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
“In line with the Penang2030 strategic initiative to ’empower people to strengthen civic participation’, we hope the society can recognise and empower senior citizens as the assets of the state’s development.
“It is important for us to address the ageing issue and ensure that our senior citizens will not be left behind.
“We recognise the contribution of senior citizens towards society. We encourage them to stay healthy and active as well,” he said in his speech during the Penang State Family Day Opening 2022 in Gurney Plaza today.
The theme of Penang State Family Day 2022 is ‘Active Aging’ and its campaign was focused on intergenerational bonds within the family.
It is the fourth year of the celebration since 2019. This is an important day to remind everyone about family and its significance.
Chow, nevertheless, said that society often assumes that old means being passive and reliant on others.
However, many other European nations have proven that allowing the aged group to remain active is a solution to an ageing society.
“Ageing is a blessing. We are never too old or too late to start a new goal or to pursue a new hobby. We hope to showcase to Penangites that we can age gracefully, through this year’s Family Day campaign,” he said.
Chow also mentioned that the family is the basic unit of society.
“Family fulfils our basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and others. It ensures love and security for all family members.
“Each member, including the youth and the elderly, plays an important role in the development of our society, state, and nation,” he said.
Chow expressed his sincere appreciation to the campaign partners Silver Academy, Lam Wah Ee Hospital, Rainb Ragazzo, Magnificent, D’Kingdom Learning Group, Natural Med Therapy, Neuro Art, Penang Art District, and Digital Penang.
Other campaign sponsors included Safetyware Group Berhad, Hompton by the Beach, Gurney Plaza, Sunway Theme Park, WM Balloon, The Haven All Suite, Sky Resources Group, Kimberly-Clark Malaysia, G Hotel Kelawai, The Foresta, and Maestro Swiss Trading Sdn Bhd.
“I am grateful that we can celebrate the campaign physically again after two years,” he said.
State Social Development and Non-Religious Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng was sad to see the plight of the seniors in society.
“They should be respected for their life experience, but unfortunately they were left to fend for themselves.
“The state has always prepared to increase medical and provide better infrastructure to cater to the needs of the increasing ageing population,” she said, hoping the Federal Government can consider allocating resources to build more facilities for the aged seniors.
Among those present were state Environment and Welfare Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, state assemblymen, and Penang Women Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix and video by Alissala Thian