KUCHING – Sarawak must develop a comprehensive and integrated strategy to ensure its senior citizens lead healthy, active lives and retain opportunities to contribute meaningfully to society. This call was made by the Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.
He emphasised that a person’s chronological age should not be a barrier to their continued productivity and societal role. He expressed this view while addressing the closing ceremony of the Sarawak International Conference on Ageing (SICA) 2025 at the Pullman Hotel this Wednesday.
“Age is just a meaningless number,” the Speaker stated definitively. “You can be 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, even 100 years old. It doesn’t matter.” He stressed that the focus should shift from the problem of ageing to a solutions-based mindset, which requires collaboration between various experts and stakeholders.
He cautioned against a one-sided attitude in tackling these issues, asserting that what is truly needed are concrete, workable solutions. A key part of this approach, he noted, involves caring for the well-being of the younger generation, as their prosperity is intrinsically linked to the future security and support systems for the elderly.
During his speech, the Speaker also shared international perspectives gleaned from the conference, referencing senior citizen policies and outcomes in nations such as Japan, Italy, Australia, and the United States.
His observations covered diverse areas, including retirement systems and the creation of opportunities for older individuals to remain active participants in their communities.
He articulated that Sarawak needs to persist in its efforts to develop senior-friendly cities. This initiative involves ensuring the availability of appropriate facilities, infrastructure, and community support systems. The ultimate goal is to guarantee that older residents can live with full dignity and a high quality of life.
This focus on active ageing comes as populations in many developed regions, including parts of East Asia, are experiencing a rapid demographic shift. Creating an environment where the elderly are valued contributors rather than dependent burdens is seen as a hallmark of a progressive society.
The integrated strategy called for would likely involve multiple government agencies, from health and social welfare to urban planning and transport.
The conference served as a platform to gather these diverse insights and build a roadmap for Sarawak’s own policies. Ensuring that the elderly population remains engaged is also considered beneficial for social cohesion and for tapping into a vast reservoir of experience and knowledge.
