KUCHING: Every infrastructure and public facility development in Sarawak must be planned with greater inclusivity and designed to better accommodate senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and vulnerable groups requiring special attention to ensure the people’s wellbeing remains safeguarded.

Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said more age-friendly and disability-friendly cities, public amenities and infrastructure developments must continue to be expanded so these groups are able to enjoy a safer, more comfortable and higher quality of life.

“In this regard, engineers, architects, as well as development departments and agencies must play an important role in ensuring every planned development is more sensitive and responsive to the needs of senior citizens, PWDs and other vulnerable groups requiring special attention,” he said.

He said this during his opening speech at the First Meeting of the Fifth Term of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN), here on Monday.

Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi stressed that the welfare and wellbeing of the people, particularly senior citizens, PWDs, children and vulnerable communities, must continue to remain a priority, especially as Sarawak is projected to become an ageing state by 2028.

He said the situation demands thorough preparation in healthcare, welfare and social support systems to ensure the wellbeing of the people continues to be protected.

At the same time, he noted that although the government has introduced various initiatives such as the Kenyalang Gold Card, Senior Citizen Health Benefit and financial assistance schemes, the care system for elderly individuals, underprivileged patients and children requiring special care must still be further strengthened.

In addition, he also urged that the experience and expertise of active senior citizens be fully utilised through volunteerism programmes, mentorship initiatives and suitable employment opportunities so they can continue contributing towards community and state development.

Also present were wife of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, Sarawak DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Sarawak Cabinet Ministers, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Assemblymen and heads of departments. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Nur Nabilla
Photo: Ibanez Jeffery Guang
Translator: Suhaila AW