SINGAPORE: A delegation led by Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah is in Singapore to gain insights on the latest intervention, new initiatives and updated policies for the elderly and the disadvantaged.
With Sarawak reaching the status of an ageing region where 16 per cent of its total population of 2.8 million is expected to be aged 60 and above in 2028, the study visit is expected to add value to the blueprint for the ageing society in the state.
Fatimah stated that Sarawak can learn from Singapore’s inter-generational support systems, experiences, and best practices which the state can adopt and adapt into the delivery services for Sarawak’s ageing community well-being, happiness and quality of life.
On the first day of the visit on Feb 27, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth of Government Eric Chua welcomed Fatimah and the delegates during a courtesy call at the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
The courtesy call was followed by a discussion with the Second Deputy Secretary of MSF Esa Massood and team where they discussed the enabling master plan which include policies, community infrastructure, programmes and services by MSF.
On the visit to the International Longevity Centre (IKS) Singapore, Fatimah and the delegates were welcomed by Chairman of Tsao Foundation Dr Mary Ann Tsao.
They were informed how ILS promotes the well-being of older people and contribute to the national development through research, policies, and effective practices in Singapore and the region.
Fatimah and the delegates who also visited the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS) were welcomed by STATOS chief executive officer Chew Chang Guan.
The visit to the STATOS office is in relation to the setting up of a One Stop Collection Centre (OSCC) for Sarawak women entrepreneur products by the ministry in Samarahan.
On the second day, Fatimah and the delegates visited Singapore’s first building that brings together a mix of public facilities and services under one roof namely the Kampung Admiralty which is a prototype for meeting the needs of Singapore’s ageing population.
Next, they visited the largest urban park in central known as Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and were welcomed by the Park Director Nanthini Elamgovan who shared about how the park is an integrated urban development which incorporates environmental and social well-being for elderly and special needs groups.
The next visit was to the Centre of Ageing Research and Education (CARE), DUKE, National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School.
CARE aims to harness the potentials of the population’s ageing geriatric medicine both in Singapore and the region through its interdisciplinary expertise.
CARE also spearheads educational programmes to build competencies on ageing among research, policy, and progamme professionals.
It also actively engages with government and industry partners to meet the needs of population ageing.
Among the delegates were Deputy Ministers Datuk Rosey Yunus and Mohd Rozi Sitam, the ministry’s permanent secretary Noriah Ahmad, Director of Welfare Department Adana Jed, Mayor of Kuching North City Council (DBKU) Datuk Junaidi Reduan and other dignitaries.
