By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, July 27 — The state government will introduce a senior citizens-friendly policy that must be implemented on the local council level under the First Selangor Plan (RS-1).
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said this includes special facilities for the elderly like special elevators, special paths and special rooms when drawing up construction plans for office and housing buildings.
“Selangor will have an estimated 1.3 million persons over 65 years of age by 2040. Therefore, RS-1 will prepare the state for this transition, aiming to increase the physical and mental health as well as well-being of the elderly.
“The existing Jom Shopping Skim Mesra Usia Emas (SMUE) and the Selangor Saring programmes which focus on elderly health and welfare will also be expanded,” he said when tabling the RS-1 at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly here today.
The SMUE was introduced over a decade ago for the benefit of Selangor’s elderly residents, with members qualifying for shopping vouchers and death benefits.
A total of RM27.5 million has been allocated under the 2022 Selangor Budget for the continuation of the programme this year.
Amirudin added that apart from the senior citizens’ group the state government will also focus on other targeted groups, namely youths and persons with disabilities (OKU).
“Generally, they are Selangor’s future assets, hence our continued focus on their roles and responsibilities.
“Under RS-1, the wellbeing and marketability of youth groups in Selangor will be improved as part of our efforts in tackling unemployment in the state.
“As for OKUs, RS-1 will provide employment and income-generating opportunities with more attention given towards youth OKUs during their transition from welfare centres to Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) and the Independent Living Centre (ILC),” he said.
On March 2, state executive councillor for public health Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said the Selangor government is setting up the ILC to help OKUs find employment after finishing school.
She said RM1 million has been allocated for the pilot project, which will be implemented soon, targeting special needs children aged 18 and above.
