Chieng: Caring for the elderly a shared responsibility

SIBU : Caring for the elderly should not be the responsibility of the government alone, but requires a collective commitment from families, associations and the community to ensure they can continue to live comfortably and with dignity.

Bukit Assek assemblyman, Joseph Chieng Jin Ek said families and the community played an important role in ensuring senior citizens did not feel neglected or lonely, while also receiving proper attention to their health and overall well-being.

He said respecting the elderly was not merely a responsibility but also reflected the values of love, appreciation and humanity that should be embraced by all levels of society.

“Take the time to listen to their stories, care about their health, and make sure they do not feel neglected or lonely,” he said when speaking at the Honouring Senior Citizens Programme organised by the Sarawak Central Region Single Mothers’ Association (PITWITS) at a hotel here today.

Also present were Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister’s representative Mike Yong, Sibu MP’s representative Sun Yong, PITWITS chairman Tang Kiu Mee and organising chairman Tuai Rumah Catherine Tamoh.

Chieng said efforts to safeguard the welfare of senior citizens should be comprehensive, as their needs went beyond financial assistance to include access to healthcare, family support and the opportunity to live comfortably and with dignity.

He also welcomed the Sarawak government’s continued commitment under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to the welfare and well-being of the people, particularly those requiring assistance.

Among the initiatives benefiting senior citizens, he said, was the Senior Citizen Health Benefit, which will continue in 2027 with an allocation of RM50 million.

Under the scheme, eligible senior citizens from households earning RM7,000 a month or less can receive cashless outpatient treatment of up to RM500 per person annually.

In addition, the compassionate death assistance provided under the Kenyalang Gold Card will continue at RM1,800, backed by an allocation of RM12 million to help ease the financial burden on families who have lost loved ones.

Chieng said these initiatives demonstrated the importance of government support for senior citizens and their families, but stressed that such efforts must be complemented by greater community concern and social responsibility.

He also commended PITWITS for organising the programme, describing it as a meaningful initiative to show appreciation for senior citizens and assist those in need.

He said such efforts reflected the spirit of a caring, compassionate and united society.

Chieng hoped all parties would continue working together to build a society that was not only progressive in terms of development but also rich in the values of compassion, mutual respect and concern for senior citizens.