KUCHING – The Sarawak Government has taken another step forward in its digital transformation agenda with the launch of the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) application on the Sarawak Pass platform, aimed at streamlining welfare services for senior citizens.
The initiative was unveiled during the closing ceremony of the Sarawak International Conference on Ageing (SICA) 2025, officiated by Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
The event was also attended by his wife, Datin Amar Fatimah Mohamad Iskandar, alongside Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK), and other senior officials.
Through the new system, Sarawakians aged 60 and above can now register and activate their Kenyalang Gold Card directly via smartphone, eliminating the need to visit welfare offices. Once registration is completed, users will immediately receive a virtual KGC, while the physical card will follow later if required.
According to Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, the digitalisation of the KGC application process reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that senior citizens gain faster and more efficient access to welfare benefits.
“With this new system, senior citizens aged 60 and above can now register and activate their KGC directly through the Sarawak Pass application without having to visit any welfare office. Once activated, they will receive their virtual KGC immediately without having to wait for the physical card,” she explained.
She added that the move is part of Sarawak’s broader preparation for an ageing society, which is expected to expand significantly by 2028. “Sarawak’s preparation for an ageing society is not only a demographic necessity, but also a moral and development responsibility,” she stressed.
The Kenyalang Gold Card, first introduced in 2020, provides senior citizens with access to discounts, healthcare support, and various welfare benefits. By integrating the application into Sarawak Pass, the government is aligning the programme with its Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which emphasises digital innovation and people-focused services.
The launch also highlights Sarawak’s ambition to build a smart welfare system that leverages technology to improve service delivery. Officials noted that the digitalisation of welfare services will reduce administrative delays, cut costs, and ensure that benefits reach recipients more effectively.
Observers point out that this development is consistent with Sarawak’s wider digital economy agenda, which includes initiatives in e-government, smart city planning, and digital identity systems. By embedding welfare services into Sarawak Pass, the state is creating a unified platform that could eventually integrate multiple public services for greater convenience.
The ceremony was also attended by Datuk Rosey Yunus, Deputy Minister of KPWK, and Datu Felicia Tan Ya Hua, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, alongside other distinguished guests.
With the launch of the KGC application on Sarawak Pass, Sarawak is positioning itself as a leader in digital welfare innovation, ensuring that its senior citizens are not left behind in the state’s journey towards a more connected and inclusive society.
