Meeting the Needs of Malaysia's Ageing Population: A Growing Challenge

Senior citizens who are 60 years old and older account for 11.5% of Johor’s populace, totaling 482,600 people.

Johor women, family and community development com­mittee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail said the state government was continuously improving services provided to them.

Two committees have been set up at both state and district levels, known as the State Senior Citizens Development Committee (JPWEN) and District Senior Citizens Development Committee.

"These two committees have been set up to protect the well-being of elderly individuals by crafting and executing appropriate programs for their benefit," she stated during the question-and-answer segment of the state assembly meeting held in Kota Iskandar within Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

She was addressing a query posed by Mohd Yusof Ismail (BN–Senggarang) about the state government’s strategies as Malaysia approached becoming an aging nation by 2030.

Khairin-Nisa said the role of both committees was to assist in planning and coordinating the implementation of the National Senior Citizens Action Plan.

The committees will assist in pinpointing issues or challenges that demand focus at the state level and enhance programs for the betterment of seniors.

She also highlighted that the Federal Government has established senior citizens activity centres (Pawe).

“So far, there are 22 Pawe centres in Johor providing health classes, exercise sessions, recreational trips, ongoing education, and chances for volunteering,” she stated.

She mentioned that events took place weekly, monthly, and annually, drawing between 20 to 100 attendees for each occasion.