KUCHING: The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) launched its first Age-Friendly City Workshop on Saturday, bringing together government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), academics, councillors, and community leaders to prepare for the city’s transition into an aging society by 2028.
During the session, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Ida Fatimawati Adi Badiozaman, briefed participants on “Preparation for Ageing Sarawak: The Profile and Ageing Issues of Older Persons in Sarawak.”
Her presentation revealed key findings from the survey, including health concerns, accessibility in public infrastructure, and the importance of social inclusion among older persons.
The session was chaired by MBKS Age-Friendly City Committee Chairlady Judy Kho with MBKS Councillors, senior officers, and representatives from multiple government agencies and NGOs actively engaging in the discussion.
In his speech, MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng stressed the urgency of early preparation.
"By 2028, Kuching South will officially become an aging city. This is not just a statistic, it will affect healthcare, transportation, housing, and the way we design our public spaces," he said.
"The way we prepare today will decide how our seniors live tomorrow. We cannot wait until 2028 to act."
Dato Wee urged participants to contribute bold ideas to help formulate a comprehensive Kuching South Aging Plan.
"We need practical solutions driven by real community needs. One day, all of us will grow old in this city, so this plan is for ourselves as much as it is for our parents and grandparents," he added.
Judy Kho affirmed that the workshop marked only the beginning of a wider engagement process.
"We will continue to consult stakeholders and study best practices so that Kuching South can become a model age-friendly city for Sarawak and beyond," she said.
The workshop ended with participants pledging support for continued collaboration to develop age-friendly infrastructure, public services, and community programmes for healthy and dignified aging. - UKASnews
