Penang Introduces Pilot Project For Age Friendly City Initiative

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The Penang state assembly was informed today that the state government has introduced an Age-Friendly City initiative to create a conducive environment for all levels of society, particularly senior citizens.
State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairperson Lim Siew Khim said a strategic and comprehensive plan will be formulated next month to be implemented in 2024 by declaring Penang island as an Age-Friendly City by 2025.
“The island has been chosen for the pilot project, which will be implemented in phases, to conduct an in-depth study based on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Age-Friendly Cities Framework.
“I wish to stress, however, that Seberang Perai has not been sidelined in any way. The Seberang Perai City Council’s (MBSP) plan for its Age-Friendly City will start in 2024,” Siew Khim said in her winding-up speech at the State Assembly sitting today.
She added that with the experience and knowledge gained from the Penang City Council initiative, the state government, supported by the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), will work closely with MBSP to ensure Seberang Perai achieves the Age-Friendly City status as well.
Lim also said that Penang not only cares about senior citizens but also preserves the interests of all levels of society, including young people, adults, people with disabilities, women and men.
She added that to face the challenges of an ageing population, the state government launched an Active Ageing Roadmap last year to declare and empower senior citizens as an asset for development.
“The plan focuses on implementing programmes, enhancing cooperation with the private sector and non-governmental organisations as well as formulating sustainable policies to improve the social, physical, and psychological well-being of the elderly.
“The Active Ageing Roadmap is divided into three phases, namely Awareness, Integration, and Sustainability. According to the Statistics Department, Penang is in the ageing state category with 7.7 percent of its population aged 65 and above, the benchmark being seven percent,” she said.
Siew Khim also said that the rising senior citizen population, particularly in Penang, will have a significant impact on socio-economic development and the state’s fiscal position if the situation is not addressed seriously.
“By 2040, Penang is expected to become one of Malaysia’s states with the highest number of senior citizens,” she added.
- Bernama

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