Meeting needs of ageing population
SENIOR citizens aged 60 and above make up 11.5% of Johor's population, or 482,600 individuals.
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 established at the state and district levels, namely the state senior citizens development committee (JPWEN) and district senior citizens development committee.
'These two committees are established to ensure senior citizens' welfare is safeguarded by developing and implementing suitable programmes for them,' she said during the question-and-answer session of the state assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
She was responding to a question from Mohd Yusla Ismail (BN–Senggarang) regarding the state government's plans as Malaysia edged closer to becoming an ageing 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 help to identify issues or problems that require attention at the state level and improve senior citizen development programmes.'
She also highlighted that the Federal Government has established senior citizens activity centres (Pawe).
'To date, there are 22 Pawe across Johor offering health classes, exercise sessions, recreational outings, lifelong learning, and opportunities for volunteer work,' she said.
She added that activities were held weekly, monthly and annually, with each attracting 20 to 100 participants.
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