KUCHING: If a recently proposed Golden Card for senior citizens received widespread support, it could be implemented by the end of this year or early next year.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah (pic) said the card would be for citizens who are 60 years old and above, which is also based on the Federal Constitution’s definition of
senior citizens.
They will serve as verification documents for senior citizens to claim or utilise certain benefits such as airfares, other transportation fees, and medical treatment.
“The special card is a privilege that we want to offer to senior citizens as a form of care and respect. There are things that we have to look into thoroughly in terms of facilities and services to tackle issues of a future aging society as 15 to 16 percent of the population will be senior citizens by 2030,” she said at the closing ceremony of Dialogue on Community Input: Problems of Unorganised Identification and Marriage Documents at Lundu Community Hall near here, yesterday.
Fatimah further stated that it is necessary to hold discussions with various related parties to come up with special benefits for the elderly such as priority when seeking health services at hospitals.
“The ministry is currently working with Borneo Talk and Sarawak Pay to discuss how they can provide special discounts and services for senior citizens,” she continued.
She said senior citizens may also have inadequate retirement savings and expensive medical treatment which would require monthly financial assistance from the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
Then there are senior citizens who face mobility problems such as when walking up or down stairs, or they have limited mobility on wheelchairs.
“Thus, we need elderly-friendly or wheelchair-friendly facilities at home or public places so that senior citizens can be mobile in their old age,” said Fatimah.
“Apart from that, mental wellness of senior citizens must also be considered because they become more sensitive and lonely when their partners have passed away which may lead to depression.”
