KUCHING: Sarawak is ready to face an ageing society by 2028 when it will host the Sarawak International Conference on Ageing (SICA) 2025 themed “Ageing with Dignity: Policies for Rights, Inclusion and Social Protection”, on 28 and 29 October 2025 at the Pullman Hotel, Kuching.

Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato’ Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the conference was organised to assess the current position and formulate evidence-based policies in strengthening the well-being of the elderly as Sarawak will face the status of an elderly state in the next three years.

"By 2028, Sarawak will be an ageing state, with 15 per cent of the population made up of senior citizens. That is the true definition of an ageing state.

"Therefore, we feel the need to take a closer look at the situation of the elderly in Sarawak and assess what needs to be done to ensure their well-being is maintained," she said during the Juh Randau programme organised by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) hereon Friday.

She also commented that the event was important to help Sarawak formulate more effective policies and programmes for the elderly, based on experience and sharing from local and foreign experts.

"We hope that with the experts we have specially invited, including from countries with experience in addressing ageing issues, it will be able to help Sarawak formulate policies and provide the necessary facilities," she explained.

The two-day conference will feature a keynote address entitled "Care Across Generations: Policy, Research and Innovation for Malaysia's Ageing Society", followed by two plenary sessions, three thematic forums and six concurrent sessions discussing policy issues, wellbeing, technology, economics and cross-border cooperation networks sectors such as health, housing, urban design, financial security and social care.

Among the main topics that will be highlighted include “Healthy Ageing with Dignity: Policies for Rights”, “Inclusion and Social Protection, Aged Care Through the Global Lens”, “Age-Friendly Cities Initiatives and Economic Empowerment and Financial Security for Ageing.”

Dato’ Sri Fatimah explained that the conference will be an ongoing programme to strengthen the state’s strategy towards building a healthy, independent and dignified ageing society.

A total of 450 participants from home and abroad will be taking part in the conference including academics, policymakers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and health and social care practitioners.

SICA 2025 is expected to be a starting point for the formation of holistic and inclusive policies to ensure that senior citizens in Sarawak continue to live with dignity, prosperity and enjoy a quality life throughout their golden years.— UKASnews

Reporter: Betrice Britney Dee
Translator: Ryan Lim
Photographer: Shahril Haqim