Sarawak needs to prepare itself for an ageing society by 2030, says state premier
KUCHING, March 18 — Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today said Sarawak needs to prepare itself for an ageing society projected to be reached in 2030 when 15 per cent of the state’s total population will consist of people aged 60 years and above.
He said this is why he supports the state Ministry of Women, Early Childhood, Community Wellbeing Development’s efforts to conduct a study on the ageing population of Sarawak.
“This means we need to have a support system for the ageing society,” the premier told reporters after officiating the state-level Women’s Day celebration at the Penview Convention Centre in Demak Laut, near here.
He was asked to respond to a move by the state Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah in her speech delivered at the Women’s Day celebration.
Abang Johari asked the state ministry to conduct the study, in collaboration with the state Economic Planning Unit in the Premier’s Office.
He said the scenarios now are different than in the past, such as in terms of employment, pension fund, ability for the senior citizens to sustain themselves and supporting healthcare system for the elderly.
“These are the important issues that we need to look into,” he said.
He added the whole world is going into an ageing society and it has become an international issue.
“That is why we need to establish our safety net for this category of the population,” he said.
Abang Johari said he does not know the exact percentage of senior citizens, aged 60 and above, but believes that it is below 15 per cent.
He said he believes that senior citizens, aged 60 and above, can still contribute to society, such as by giving their views and recommendations to the government.
