KUCHING: The Sarawak Government has achieved another key milestone in its digital transformation agenda for welfare when the virtual Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) was officially launched through the SarawakPass platform to facilitate the affairs of senior citizens throughout the state. The applicants and KGC merchants can also check the status of KGC via sarawak.gov.my.

Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK), Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the application allows senior citizens aged 60 and above to register and activate their KGC directly via smartphone without having to be present at a welfare office, speeding up the process of delivering social services.

“With this new system, senior citizens aged 60 and above can now register and activate their KGC directly through the Sarawak Pass application without having to visit any welfare office.

“Once activated, they will receive their virtual KGC immediately without having to wait for the physical card,” she said when speaking at the closing ceremony of the Sarawak International Conference on Ageing (SICA) 2025 at a hotel here on Wednesday.

Dato Sri Fatimah said the initiative not only strengthens the state’s digital welfare system, but also proves the Sarawak Government’s commitment to ensuring that every senior citizen can enjoy benefits more quickly and efficiently.

“Sarawak’s preparation for an ageing society is not only a demographic necessity, but also a moral and development responsibility,” she stressed.

The launch of the virtual card was officiated by the Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar in conjunction with the closing ceremony of SICA 2025.

The launch ceremony was also witnessed by his wife, Datin Amar Fatimah Mohamad Iskandar, Dato Sri Fatimah, KPWK Deputy Minister, Datuk Rosey Yunus, KPWK Permanent Secretary, Datu Felicia Tan Ya Hua, and other guests of honour.

This move is in line with the goals of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 in creating a smart welfare system that focuses on the wellbeing of the people, especially the growing number of elderly by 2028. -UKASnews

Reporter: Betrice Britney Dee
Translator: Nerissa Sia
Photographer: Shahril Haqim